The Eucharist, as the source and summit of our Christian lives, is the primary formative experience for Saint Mark's Catholic community. We seek to open ourselves more deeply to the Lord in the Eucharist and continue in our journey as a Eucharistic people.
The faith formation programs are designed to support and encourage its members in their faith journeys. They are designed to help us learn and grow through community, the study of God's Word and Tradition, the celebration of the sacraments and challenge of the apostolic mission. They are designed to share faith with our children and the wider world.
The Director of Religious Education, Keely Wojda, administers most of the programs listed here. Of course, there are countless other ways faith is strengthened and shaped at Saint Mark's. We invite everyone, at every age, to join us on this journey in Christ.
Contact Keely Wojda for more information about any of the Faith Formation programs.
Wednesday Evening Faith Formation
This program is for parish children who are attending public school or any other school where they are not receiving Catholic religious instruction during the school day. We have classes every Wednesday for grades one to eight, as well as a bi-weekly class for ninth graders. We use a curriculum developed by Loyola Press called "Finding God" and all of us who work with it love it for its sound doctrine, emphasis on prayer and worship, and exquisite art that helps the students to experience the beauty of our Catholic tradition. Classes meet Wednesdays from September 22 to May 4 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.
2011-2012 Faith Formation Calendar
Sunday School
This program, which takes place during the 9:00 a.m. Mass, is for three, four and five year-olds. The curriculum is based on bible stories and includes lots of active learning, crafts and music. Sunday School takes place in our school building—enter through the Child Care doors at the corner of Dayton and Moore. Classes begin in mid September.
2011-2012 Sunday School Calendar
Liturgy of the Word for Children
Liturgy of the Word for Children (LOW), which takes place during the 9:00 a.m. Mass, is designed to help children in grades one to three engage more fully in the Liturgy of the Word. Each Sunday, LOW leaders take the children to the community room of the church to hear the Word of God proclaimed and explained to them in a way that is appropriate for their age. The children rejoin the congregation during the Preparation of the Altar and Gifts. LOW starts on September 19 and there is no registration required.
Adult Education
Being an adult in the Church requires that each of us continue to grow in our knowledge and understanding of our faith. Saint Mark's offers a variety of opportunities for this growth to take place.
Bible Study
During the 2011-2012 school year, adults are invited to participate in Jeff Cavins' Great Adventure Bible Timeline Study, a 24 week Bible Study. Classes meet on Tuesday evenings.
Small Church Communities
Many groups have been meeting for over ten and even twenty years, and their formats include prayer and study. Groups are composed of all men, all mothers, mixed groups of women and men, married and single, all seniors and mixed ages. They study the Bible, the Catechism, Church documents, or read a common text. Contact Karen Shrake through the Parish Center, 645-5717, to learn more about what group will be right for you.
Revised Translation of the Roman Missal
Saint Mark's is preparing for the new Revised Translation of the Roman Missal. Watch the bulletin and the website for more information.
Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
Saint Mark's offers a comprehensive approach to preparation for these sacraments. In the school and in the Faith Formation program, the children will be focusing on the sacrament of Reconciliation in the Fall and Eucharist in the Spring. Additionally, the children and their parents receive at-home preparation resources that are designed for the parent to do with the child. Parents of children preparing for First Sacraments meet with Keely Wojda once in the Fall and once in the Spring to receive their at-home resources and some adult education on the sacrament. Additionally, we have an Evening of Reflection in the Fall and a Retreat in the Spring which involve the parents and children together. First Reconciliation takes place on the first Saturday in December and First Eucharist takes place on the First Sunday in May.
2011-2012 First Reconciliation and First Eucharist Calendar
Confirmation
Our young people do their preparation and are confirmed in their eight grade year. We begin the year with a NET retreat and follow up with monthy meetings until the Spring when the candidates are confirmed. Candidates are required to attend the retreat and the meetings, write a letter to the Pastor requesting the sacrament, choose and interview a sponsor, and complete 25 hours of service. Despite the many requirements, we emphazise that the sacrament of Confirmation is a gift from God, through which we receive the Holy Spirit and the Spirit's gifts which are for our own sanctification and the mission of the Church.
2011-2012 Confirmation Calendar
Youth Ministry
Our volunteer Youth Minister, Michelle Hirschboeck, and intern, Danny McClure work in collaboration with the parish Director of Religious Education to provide quality Youth Ministry programs. See the Youth Ministry page for more information.
