St. Mark Faith Formation
Faith Formation Registration for the 25-26 school year will open after Easter, April 21st 10AM
Below is information about our programs, select the age group to see the information about what we offer based on your child's age!
ECHO
Echo is our faith formation (religious education) program for those in Kindergarten - 5th grade.
Our program is called ECHO because that is exactly what we want the kids to do...Echo what they learn back to us as Catechists, and more importantly back to their families when they leave the classroom.
Our ECHO Classes:
SUNDAYS
- 9:30 am - 10:45 am
- 11:30 am - 12:45 pm
Sunday classes are not meant to replace Mass.
MONDAYS
- 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
- 6:15 pm - 7:30 pm
If your child is not baptized and is under 7 years old baptize them as soon as possible, before they turn 7. Please reach out to Emily.Bixler@stmarknc.org to schedule.
If your child is older than 7 and not baptized, please refer to the OCIA for Children program.
If you have any questions, please email elementary@stmarknc.org
First Holy Communion
FIrst Communion is available for those 7 years or older who have completed 2 years of Faith Formation.
- Students who have attended two consecutive years of class, and are baptized are eligible to receive First Holy Communion. For example: If your child is baptized, attended 1st grade Faith Formation, and registers for/attends 2nd grade Faith Formation (ECHO) this school year they will receive in May 2025.
- Students who begin class in their kindergarten or 1st Grade year and move through the program regularly, will receive Communion in their 2nd grade year.
- Students who are in 2nd grade registering for their first year of class will be placed in a 1st grade ECHO class.
- Students in 3rd grade registering for their second year of class will be placed in a 2nd grade ECHO class.
- Students in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade registering for their first year of class will be placed in their regular grade's Echo class.
- Students in 4th, or 5th grade registering for their second year of class will be placed in an Echo: Sacramental Pathways Class of children in all three grades.
- Sacramental Pathways is just a fancy way of saying your child is older than 2nd grade receiving First Holy Communion this year.
Sacramental Pathways will only be available on Sundays.
If you have any questions, please email elementary@stmarknc.org
EDGE
Edge is our Faith Formation program for those in 6th and 7th grade.
EDGE is a program written by Life Teen for Middle School students. It is Youth Ministry based, and meant to help lead middle school youth closer to Christ!
7th grade EDGE is required for reception of Confirmation in 8th grade.
EDGE Times:
Sunday: 9:30 am - 10:45 am
Monday: 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm
If you have any questions, please email middleschool@stmarknc.org
Confirmation
Confirmation is for students who are in 8th grade, have attended two consecutive years of Faith Formation classes, are baptized, and have completed the necessary requirements, are eligible to be Confirmed at the end of the school year.
Confirmation Class is:
- SUNDAYS: 11:30 am - 12:45 pm
- MONDAYS: 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm
For example: If your child is baptized, has received First Holy Communion, attended EDGE in 7th grade, registers for and attends our 8th grade Confirmation classes, and passes their Discernment Meeting, they will be Confirmed at the end of the 2025 school year!
Discernment Meetings are meetings conducted by the Clergy of our parish to determine if a Confirmation Candidate is prepared to be Confirmed. These meetings will happen around February of the school year. If your child does not pass the first time, they will be able to do a make-up meeting!
If your child is in 8th grade, registering for their first year of class, they need to register for the EDGE program this year, and Confirmation Classes next year (their 9th Grade year).
If your child is in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade and needs to be confirmed, they can register for our High School Confirmation Class on the OCIA page.
Confirmation Mass is usually around April or May.
These dates are determined by the Bishop of our Diocese, and it is likely that we will not have them until December.
If you have any questions, please email middleschool@stmarknc.org
High School Youth Ministry
High School Youth Ministry for 9th -12th grade students.
Life Teen is held most Sundays after the 5:00 pm Mass.
Our Life Teen Group also hosts speakers, special events, retreats and social activities.
If your child is looking for a deeper relationship with Christ, or maybe just a good, safe place to hang out, Life Teen provides all of that and more! Find more information on our High School Youth ministry page here.
If your child is in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade and is missing a Sacrament, they can register for our High School Confirmation Class on the OCIA page.
If you have any questsions about High School Youth Ministry, please email augustine.free@stmarknc.org
If you have any questions, please email:
- For Elementary questions: elementary@stmarknc.org
- For Middle School/Confirmation questions: middleschool@stmarknc.org
- For anything else, please email the Director of Faith Formation: sarah.rider@stmarknc.org
Confirmation 2025
Are you receiving Confirmation this school year? Lost your packet or need digital copies? Click the button below.
Meet the Team
Special Circumstances:
If you are moving to the area and were enrolled in the current year of Faith Formation at your previous parish, please reach out to our team.
If your child is in 1st grade or 7th grade and is not currently enrolled in Faith Formation, please reach out for solutions to ensure that your child can receive First Communion or Confirmation on time.
If your child is older than 2nd grade or 8th grade and have not received First Communion or Confirmation, and is not enrolled in Faith Formation currently, you will have to register them for our next year of Faith Formation. Registration opens in the late Spring.
If your child is not baptized, and older than 7, they will have to enter our OCIA program. Information about that is on our OCIA PAGE HERE. If your child is not baptized and younger than 7, please schedule a baptism for them ASAP! Contact Emily Bixler to do so.
If your child attends Catholic School, they do not have to be in our Faith Formation program to receive a Sacrament. You will have to fill out our Sacrament Form in the year of their Sacrament to ensure you receive all of our communications.
If you Home School your child, and do their faith formation at home, your child does not have to attend our Faith Formation program. You will have to fill out our Sacrament Form in the year of their Sacrament to ensure you receive all of our communications. More information about Home School can be found by clicking the button below.
Meet the Team
Mariana Vazquez
Middle School Youth Ministry and Confirmation Coordinator
704-948-0231 x105
