The Our Faith on Fire! Faith Formation programs place great emphasis on the cultivation of true spiritual values and encourages the overall development of a Catholic Community member, which includes an outlook, understanding, and demeanor that is founded upon a faith-filled perspective and exemplified by living our Catholic Faith every day! Our goal is to help your child to develop a relationship with Christ and to know that he or she is especially loved and valued by Him. The expectation is that each child is registered for, and participates in Faith Formation classes EVERY YEAR from Grade 1 until Confirmed.
Registration for the 2025-2026 school year will open mid-summer.
Empowering God's Children, required by the Diocese for all of our Faith Formation students, is designed to help parents and families learn how to protect children against sexual and physical abuse and is a way to help parents introduce the concepts of personal safety, boundaries, and more - all in age-appropriate ways. We partner with you to ensure that your children are empowered to live as God intended - in safe, loving, and protected environments.
We will reach out to you about this requirement each year, but you are free to explore on your own.
Go HERE to learn more.
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Scroll down to learn more about the various programs being offered during the 2024-2025 school year.
Traditional
Grades K-8
Traditional Faith Formation option with on-site catechists and weekly classroom time. Classes meet on both campuses at Saint Kilian and Holy Sepulcher Schools; Sunday mornings. Class sizes are limited based on space and volunteer catechist availability.
Homeschool
Grades 1-6
The Homeschool option is an at home program utilizing the same curriculum coverage as the Traditional onsite options with both printed and online elements. Perfect for busy families or parents who desire to truly fulfill their role as primary catechist. Parents plan and instruct!
A Note about Confirmation Prep
Confirmation preparation, formerly a two year commitment with the designation of Year 1 and Year 2, is going to look a little different. As we transition into a new curriculum, there are a few things to remember that are important.
Preparation will take place over 3 years, instead of 2, as our curriculum is a true Middle School curriculum, for grades 6, 7, and 8.
The designation of Year 1 and Year 2 will change, to avoid future confusion as the new curriculum uses Year 1, 2, AND 3. You can expect that we will do the same to align with the curriculum.
If you've 'heard' that this is not a 'confirmation curriculum' and you are wondering how or when your child will be prepared for and learn about this sacrament, here's the TRUTH on the subject. This new curriculum from Saint Mary's Press covers ALL of the topics and issues that were addressed in our former confirmation specific curriculum. The chapter names may be different, but if your child is faithfully attending classes each year, they will cover MORE content than before in Grades 7 and 8 and the lessons taught during Middle School (Grades 6-8) will offer a complete curriculum that is age appropriate.
Richer content means that all Middle School grade classes during the school year will operate on the same schedule as other grades, September - Palm Sunday, and our Summer Program will include all Middle School Grades, thus making Faith Formation even more convenient for families.
Special Needs
All Grades
To all of our Saint Mark families, we have a program for you whether your child has a particular special needs diagnosis or struggles in a traditional classroom setting because of a learning disability, anxiety, or for other reasons.
Forward
Grades 5 and Up
For exceptional circumstances, a course designed for students who have been away from Faith Formation for a number of years and who need to be re-integrated into the programming. A journey primarily for ages 11-15 with parent participation.
Volunteers Always Needed!
Help our Faith Formation Ministry! We are always in need of volunteers to serve as Teachers (adults only), Aides (adults and rising juniors and seniors), Substitutes, and behind the scenes hands-on helpers. Fill out our Volunteer Form and express your interest!
Program availability directly depends on the number of volunteer catechists.
Options are subject to change or enrollment limitations may be put in place if there are not enough volunteers.
Empowering God's Children, required by the Diocese for all of our Faith Formation students, is designed to help parents and families learn how to protect children against sexual and physical abuse and is a way to help parents introduce the concepts of personal safety, boundaries, and more - all in age-appropriate ways. We partner with you to ensure that your children are empowered to live as God intended - in safe, loving, and protected environments.
We will reach out to you about this requirement each year, but you are free to explore on your own.
Go HERE to learn more.