We help our children and their families get to know Jesus and become friends with Him!

“At the heart of catechesis we find, in essence, a Person, the Person of Jesus of Nazareth, "the only Son from the Father...full of grace and truth," who suffered and died for us and who now, after rising, is living with us forever.” (John Paul II, CT 5)

The mission of St. Mark Faith Formation (Religious Education) is to invite our participants—children, youth, and parents—into communion with Jesus. Through a variety of programs, including classes, faith sharing groups, gatherings, missions, retreats, service projects, and special events, we encourage our parishioners to know, love and serve God.

For the 2020-2021 school year,
we offer two options for families of elementary children
(Grades K-5)
to choose from to form their children in the faith.
Family Faith Formation
Catechist Led, Online Formation

To learn more about each of these formats please see below. 
Short video presentations also included on the bar to the right.
There is also a Frequently Asked Questions Document at the end of this page!

Registration for parishioners will begin on  August 1, 2020. 
See our Registration page for details.

Classes will have a delayed start this year and will begin on 
Sunday, September 20
Wednesday, September 23

Develop your family’s faith all together.  Supported and led by the parish catechists and the materials provided, you and your family will be a part of a small group of families grow your faith together in an easy in-home and on campus format.

The monthly cycle looks like this:

• Week 1 - attend an online parent meeting to learn the content for the month and how to teach your child.
• Week 2 - attend a family pod meeting in person with 3-6 other families.  A lead catechist will lead you through Lesson 1
• Week 3 - Complete the activities for Lesson 2 at home at your convenience
• Week 4 - attend a social, service, catechetical or liturgical event with your family pod.

• Participate at Sunday & Holy Day Masses, attend regular Confession throughout the year, practice daily prayer/devotions at home, and practice stewardship (time, talent, and treasure).  These are the essential first components to faith-formation.
• Parents attend an online or in-person monthly teaching meeting. In the parent meeting, we will explore the content that is to be taught to your child(ren) that month.  We will also teach you how to present the lessons to your child(ren) that month. 
• Families will be a part of a family pod, a group of 4-6 families with a lead family that will support you and facilitate the group meetings.
• Families meet on campus with their family pod to share one lesson per month. This may have to move to an online format, or just be done in the home, according to any changing restrictions. All health restrictions will be followed.
• Parents teach one other lesson to the whole family at once, with easy-to-implement activities during the month. Some of these activities can be incorporated into family moments you already have – at the dinner table, driving in the car, etc.
• Families attend a small pod social, service or liturgical gathering each month to build community with other families.  This may have to be held online, or adjusted according to any changing restrictions.

Digital application that requires the class to meet weekly with the catechist via online platform, then complete the work digitally. 

Students will be expected to

• attend a live, online meeting with their catechist less than one hour per week
• complete and turn in their assignments digitally

• help and support their child to connect to their live, online meeting each week
• use the parent resources to interact with your child about the lesson

• participate at Sunday & Holy Day Masses, attend regular Confession throughout the year, practice daily prayer/devotions at home, and practice stewardship (time, talent, and treasure).  These are the essential first components to faith-formation.