About St. Pius X · South Yarmouth, Massachusetts
St. Pius X Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, belonging to the Diocese of Fall River. Founded in 1954 and named for Pope St. Pius X — the same year that pope was canonized — it is the first parish the Diocese of Fall River established after his canonization and also marked the 100th anniversary of the diocese's founding by Pope Pius X. The parish serves both year-round Cape Cod residents and a large summer community through its main church on Station Avenue and the seasonal Our Lady of Highway Chapel on Route 28, which is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The parish complex includes a parish school (St. Pius X School, opened 2004), faith formation programs, a parish life center, and an active outreach to the poor through ministries such as St. Vincent de Paul and the Meals for St. Joseph's House program.
- Established
- 1954
- Patron
- Pope St. Pius X
- Rector
- Rev. John Kelleher
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fall River
Why belong here
St. Pius X is a welcoming mid-Cape Catholic community that combines traditional parish life with strong outreach. It offers five Sunday Masses (and one Saturday Vigil) at its main Station Avenue church plus a popular summer Mass schedule at Our Lady of the Highway Chapel on Route 28. Parishioners can grow in faith through an extensive Faith Formation program for children and youth, weekly OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), a Youth Ministry, Centering Prayer, a Parish Library, and a Vocation Prayer Group. The parish lives its faith concretely through St. Vincent de Paul, Meals for St. Joseph's House shelter, Mission Helpers (knitting/crocheting charity items), a Prayer Shawl Ministry, Knights of Columbus Council #10346, and a parish school serving Pre-K through Grade 8.
Mass times at St. Pius X
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00 – 3:45 PM in the church
Parish History
St. Pius X Parish was established in 1954 in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, in the Diocese of Fall River. The parish took the name of Pope Pius X in the same year he was canonized and was the first parish the diocese established after that canonization. It also coincided with the 100th anniversary of the diocese's founding by Pope Pius X. The original subdivision plan off Station Avenue and Wood Road was approved in 1954. In 1960 the church hosted the wedding of Antonin Scalia and Maureen McCarthy — only the fourth wedding celebrated there that year, reflecting the parish's small early footprint. The 50th anniversary of the parish in 2004 was celebrated by the opening of St. Pius X School.
- Founded 1954 — first parish established by Diocese of Fall River after canonization of Pope Pius X
- Coincided with 100th anniversary of founding of Diocese of Fall River
- Original church building (where Scalia married in 1960) now used as parish hall
- St. Pius X School opened September 2004 on the parish's 50th anniversary
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Pius X offers a robust weekend and daily Mass schedule at its main church on Station Avenue. Saturday Vigil Mass is at 4:00 PM, and four Sunday Masses are offered at 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:00 Noon, and 5:00 PM. Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Saturday at 8:00 AM. Confessions are heard every Saturday from 3:00 to 3:45 PM in the church. The Sunday 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM Masses are live streamed via Facebook for those who cannot attend in person.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:00 Noon, 5:00 PM
- Daily Mass Monday–Saturday: 8:00 AM
- Confessions: Saturdays 3:00 – 3:45 PM in the church
- Live stream via Facebook at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM Sunday Masses
Our Lady of the Highway Chapel (Seasonal)
Our Lady of the Highway Chapel, located at 1044 Route 28 (corner of Forest Road), is a seasonal worship site open from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year. Originally started by St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis in the 1940s, it has been operated by St. Pius X since 1954. The chapel offers a Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:30 PM and a Sunday Mass at 9:30 AM during the summer. On an average summer weekend, between 900 and 1,000 people pass through its doors — a mix of year-round parishioners and seasonal visitors to Cape Cod.
- Location: 1044 Route 28, corner of Route 28 & Forest Road
- Open seasonally (Memorial Day through Labor Day; site lists July 4 to September 6 for current operations)
- Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PM; Sunday: 9:30 AM
- Averages 900–1,000 worshipers per summer weekend
- Originally started by St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis in the 1940s; operated by St. Pius X since 1954
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is served by a pastor, a parochial vicar who is a Jesuit (S.J.), three permanent deacons, and a Director of Liturgical Music. Parish office hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM to Noon and 1:00 to 5:00 PM, and Fridays 9:00 AM to Noon. Multiple dedicated staff and ministry contact emails are available through the parish office.
- Fr. John Kelleher — Pastor ([email protected])
- Father Mattaliano, S.J. — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Rev. Mr. David Akin — Permanent Deacon
- Rev. Mr. C. Michael Hickey — Permanent Deacon
- Rev. Mr. Anthony Surozenski — Permanent Deacon
- Mr. Mark Girardin — Director of Liturgical Music
Sacraments
St. Pius X prepares parishioners for all seven sacraments. Reconciliation is offered every Saturday afternoon before the Vigil Mass. Baptism is celebrated on the third Sunday of each month at 1:00 PM by prior arrangement, and parents must complete a pre-Baptismal preparation program. First Eucharist and Confirmation each require a two-year preparation program through the Faith Formation Office. Couples should contact the parish at least eight months in advance of marriage for the Diocesan Preparation Program. Those discerning Holy Orders or religious life are encouraged to contact the parish priests or the Diocese of Fall River Vocations Office.
- Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:00 – 3:45 PM
- Baptism: 3rd Sunday of the month at 1:00 PM, by prior arrangement
- First Eucharist & Confirmation: two-year preparation program
- Sacrament of the Sick: contact Parish Office; Cape Cod Hospital chaplain: (508) 862-5287
- Matrimony: contact Parish Office at least 8 months in advance
- Holy Orders / Religious Life: Diocesan Vocations Office (508) 675-1311, [email protected]
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Faith Formation Office is located at 96 Station Avenue, just outside the main entrance of the church (office hours Monday–Thursday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM). It supports the religious education of parish children and youth, with a two-year preparation for First Eucharist (Grade 2) and Confirmation (Grade 9). Registration for the 2025–2026 program year is open, with sliding-scale fees and scholarships available so that no child is turned away for inability to pay. Confirmation candidates in 2026 must submit a letter to Fr. John, a sponsor form, a Confirmation name form (due March 29), and complete a 10-hour Christian service project.
- Faith Formation Office: 96 Station Avenue, (508) 394-0709, [email protected]
- Director of Faith Formation: Ms. Shanna Kelly
- Two-year sacramental preparation for First Eucharist (Grade 2) and Confirmation (Grade 9)
- Family fees: $50 (one child) / $70 (two) / $90 (three or more); additional $25 retreat fee for First Communion and Confirmation
- Scholarships available — no child turned away
- Children's Weekly Bulletins available online for home faith activities
St. Pius X School (Pre-K through Grade 8)
St. Pius X School is a parish-affiliated Catholic elementary school serving Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8 at 321 Wood Road, South Yarmouth. It opened in September 2004 as the first new Catholic elementary school built on Cape Cod under Bishop Sean O'Malley's initiative, with Mrs. Patricia G. Marmen as its founding principal. The school expanded into a departmentalized middle school (grades 6–8) in September 2006. Its motto is 'To learn, to grow, to lead…' and its mission is to educate students in the Catholic faith, in academic excellence, and in a spirit of service, leadership, and mutual respect within a diverse Cape Cod community.
- 321 Wood Road, South Yarmouth
- Phone: (508) 398-6112; [email protected]
- Opened September 2004 with Pre-K through Grade 4; expanded to include middle school (Grades 6–8) in September 2006
- Founded in the parish's 50th anniversary year
- Family Handbook and additional information at www.spxschool.org
Parish Ministries & Outreach
St. Pius X has a wide array of ministries that allow parishioners to serve in liturgy, formation, and outreach. Liturgical ministries include Lectors (with a Junior Lector track for grades 6–12), Special Ministers of the Eucharist, Ushers/Greeters/Collectors, Music Ministry, and Mass Recordings. Pastoral and spiritual ministries include Centering Prayer, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), Prayer Shawl, Vocation Prayer Group, Bereavement support, and Youth Ministry. Outreach ministries include the Mission Helpers (knitting/crocheting charity goods), DYECH Caring Cards, the Mental Health & Wellness ministry, St. Vincent de Paul (with a dedicated hotline), and the Meals for St. Joseph's House program — which prepares and delivers dinner to the Hyannis shelter on the first and third Sundays of each month.
- St. Vincent de Paul Hotline: (508) 398-6623
- Knights of Columbus Council #10346
- St. Pius X Women's Society
- Meals for St. Joseph's House (first and third Sundays)
- Parish Pastoral Council & Finance Council
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adult initiation
Prayer & Devotional Life
Beyond Mass and the sacraments, St. Pius X offers several ongoing prayer opportunities. The Vocation Prayer Ministry gathers every Wednesday from 4:00 to 5:00 PM in the church to pray for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life — praying the Diocese of Fall River Prayer for Vocations, the Prayer for Priests, the Rosary with vocational meditations, a Litany for Vocations (alternating with the Way of the Cross for Vocations or the Chaplet of Divine Mercy), and concluding with silent prayer. The Centering Prayer Group and Prayer Shawl Ministry round out the parish's contemplative offerings.
- Vocation Prayer Group: Wednesdays 4:00 – 5:00 PM in St. Pius X Church
- Centering Prayer Group
- Prayer Shawl Ministry (knit/crochet shawls blessed and given to the sick)
- DYECH Caring Cards
Visiting & Contact
Parish Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to Noon and 1:00 to 5:00 PM, and Fridays from 9:00 AM to Noon. The parish mailing address is St. Pius X Church, 5 Barbara Street, South Yarmouth, MA 02664. The Faith Formation Office can be reached at (508) 394-0709 and the parish school at (508) 398-6112. The St. Vincent de Paul hotline is (508) 398-6623. The parish complex includes the Rectory/Parish Office at 5 Barbara Street, the church at 98 Station Avenue, the Parish Life Center at 25 Barbara Street, and the Religious Education Building at 94 Station Avenue. Our Lady of the Highway Chapel is located separately at 1044 Route 28.
- Rectory / Parish Office: 5 Barbara Street — (508) 398-2248
- Faith Formation Office: (508) 394-0709 — [email protected]
- St. Pius X School: (508) 398-6112 — [email protected]
- St. Vincent de Paul Hotline: (508) 398-6623
- Parish Life Center: 25 Barbara Street
- Religious Education Building: 94 Station Avenue
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor John J. Smith
Long-serving pastor during the early 2000s; led the effort to build St. Pius X School, which opened in 2004 on the parish's 50th anniversary.
- Rev. George Bellenoit
Past pastor (referenced as pastor in 2015 Cape Cod Times article about Our Lady of the Highway Chapel).