Faith Formation
Q. Do you know someone with special educational needs who wants to learn about the Faith?
The ST. MARK Religious Education Office is reaching out to our church family to gauge the spiritual and personal growth needs of parishioners with children and young adults with disabilities. This includes individuals who cannot learn in a typical classroom environment.
The survey found at the link below will help us to determine the specific needs of our member families. The individual results are confidential and will be used to explore possible opportunities to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities within our parish.
Your completion of this survey by Tuesday, April 30 is much appreciated. While we are investigating potential services, please note that we cannot guarantee the establishment of a formal program.
Children’s Faith Formation
Welcome to ST. MARK Religious Education
Please read the information below about registering your child/children for ST. MARK Religious Education for the 2023-24 school year. Classes began on September 10/11 and continue through April 28/May 6.
In-person class on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:45am. This (or Monday, when applicable) is a preferred option, especially for those children in Grades 1-2 and 7-8 who are preparing for Sacraments.
In-person class on Monday evenings from 6:30-7:45pm. This (or Sunday) is a preferred option for those children in Grades 7-8 who are preparing for Sacraments.
A homeschool curriculum using My Catholic Faith Delivered. With some assistance from parents, a child will progress through the lessons using an online platform. The Director of Religious Education will monitor your child’s progress.
In-person class one Sunday afternoon per month to prepare for High School Confirmation in the spring.
Registration Information
The deadline for early registration has passed and late fees now apply.
The early registration rates for registered parishioners are as follows:
- One child $135
- Two children $215
- Three children $275
- Four+ children $350
- Late fee $100 per family
(after 8/25)
For those not registered as ST. MARK parishioners, the fee is $300 per child; $450 for two children.
There are also sacramental administrative fees as follows:
- First Eucharist $30 (Penance and Eucharist workshop fees)
- Confirmation $250 ($234 Fall weekend retreat fee + $16 robe fee)
Please read our Policies and Procedures Document and print for your reference. You will be asked to acknowledge these during the registration process.
- The Adult Faith Formation Program is held in the CFC Gym on Sunday mornings during RE class. We ask that all parents either volunteer for Religious Education or participate in some type of Faith Formation. There are also Adult Faith Formation options available during other times – for example, Alpha, Bible Study, Christians in Commerce. Click here for more information on adult faith formation opportunities.
- If you wish to volunteer instead of participating in Adult Faith Formation, you will find a list of your options here.
- We expect that all children enrolled in Religious Education attend Mass. The Bishop removed Mass dispensation as of June 26, 2021. Mass at ST. MARK is available on Saturday at 5:30 pm and Sunday at 9 am and 11 am. Attending the 11 am Mass will be a convenient option for families with children attending Religious Education classes.
Go to the online enrollment page and pay by credit card. If you have questions about registration, fees, or your parish registration status, or if you need to pay by check, please contact Sarah Lundquist at slundquist@stmark.org or 703-938-1948. Contact the Director of Religious Education, Joe Flaherty, with any other questions or concerns: 703-938-1948 x1.
For inquiries and questions call 703-938-1948.
Joe Flaherty, Director of Religious Education: jflaherty@stmark.org
Sarah Lundquist, Office Administrator: slundquist@stmark.org
Andrea Kramer, Pastoral Council for Education: ac_kramer(at)yahoo.com
Save the Date! Vacation Bible School
July 22-26, 2024
9:00am-12:00pm (dropoff time is 8:45)
Campers (preK through rising 5th grade) and volunteers, especially adults, are needed. Stay tuned for registration and more information.
Adult Faith Formation
Adult Faith Formation Opportunities – join either a short-term or long-term group!
Adult faith formation sessions on various topics take place in the Christian Formation Center Gym on RE Sundays from 9:30-10:45 am.
- Meeting each RE Sunday: Alpha. While Sunday Alpha meets for the convenience of parents dropping their children off for RE, it is open to anyone inside or outside the Parish. Each session begins with coffee and donuts and an inspiring video, followed by small group discussion. Participants are able to attend the 11:00am Mass.
Alpha’s Lenten Tune Up begins the week of February 5th! Read more about the series here. All are welcome to join!
Alpha is a gathering of folks in a small group setting, who are simply looking for Community and for ways to grow in their faith in Jesus Christ. Sessions are available both in person and online.
Karen Asta, karenjasta@gmail.com, for information on the next Alpha session.
Do you ever feel like the only parent struggling to raise holy kids?
The beautiful truth is that you are not alone. Join us as we follow the newest video series from FORMED, “The Catholic Parent.” We’ll watch a 15-minute video on topics relevant to shaping our Catholic families and then discuss our own joys and challenges in leading our children to holiness.
“The Catholic Parent” 6-part series: Mondays April 8-May 13, 8:45am coffee, 9am official start time in the Cassidy Activities Center.
Arrive in the Cassidy Activities Center at 8:45 for coffee; the official start is at 9:00. Children are welcome to attend with you and since we are all parents, come and go as fits your family’s needs. Please email Katie Gruters at parentsministry@gmail.com if you think you might be able to make it. We look forward to meeting you!Â
Meet at members’ homes or by Zoom most days of the week. Some are short-term groups formed for Advent and Lent. For more information contact Julie Scott at juliescott2010@gmail.com.
We are currently offering Bible Study via Zoom. Contact Mark Morneau at Mark.Morneau@gmail.com or 703-620-5101 for more information.
Meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month, September through June, at 7:30pm via Zoom. Contact Mark Morneau at Mark.Morneau@gmail.com or 703-620-5101 for more information.
Meets every Wednesday for prayer, teaching, small group discussion and fellowship from 7-8am via Zoom. Please contact Bill Dalgetty at bdalgetty@cox.net for more information.
The Cursillo is an opportunity to examine and celebrate yourself, your relationship with Christ and your relationship with the Christian community. Please go to the Cursillo website to get up-to-date information about Cursillo dates. After the Cursillo weekend you meet with other Cursillistas for a weekly reunion. There are also all-community gatherings periodically throughout the year.
- FORMED Catholic Media Streaming: Formed has Catholic movies, video series, books, audiobooks and more for both children and adults.
- Visit formed.org/signup
- Enter our parish zip or name
- Enter your name and email
- Enjoy and share with others!
- There are also very good online classes from Boston College called “Crossroads” which are inexpensive and excellent. Upcoming courses include: online book clubs, Spirituality and Prayer, Sacred Scripture, The Moral Life, and Themes from Our Christian Tradition. To register click here.
For more information contact Joe Flaherty in the RE Office at 703-938-1948 x1. Let us know if you have other ideas!
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Would you like to know more about Jesus?
- Do you desire a relationship with Jesus within a vibrant community of faith?
- Have you ever wondered what the Catholic Church is all about?
- Do you have questions regarding how to become Catholic?
ST. MARK is a vibrant Christian community of faith committed to Jesus Christ and His Church which welcomes your questions. We offer many ways to explore questions you may have. There is no obligation to become Catholic. We respect your free decision to come and inquire for as long as you like. To find out how, please simply contact the Director of Religious Education, Joe Flaherty, in the RE office at 703-938-1948 x1.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a gradual process which allows adults who have either not been raised in any formal faith or are from other faith traditions, as well as those who have been baptized Catholic who have never been CONFIRMED or received EUCHARIST, to seek and encounter a deeper relationship with Jesus within the Catholic Church.
Through participation in RCIA each person receives formation on how to live as a disciple of Jesus through a Catholic way of life within a specific faith community. The process includes exploring the Bible as well as Church teachings and traditions, participating in the prayer, rituals, and liturgies of the Catholic Church, forming relationships within the community, and developing an ever-deepening personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Each person expresses a willingness and desire to become Catholic differently. Your journey may take you to the initial inquiry stage or all the way through the formal stages involved in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults including reception of the Sacraments and integration in the life of the community. To begin your journey, contact the DRE, Joe Flaherty, at 703-938-1948 x1.
Thank you for building that relationship of trust with someone who has expressed an interest in wanting to know more about Catholicism or becoming Catholic! Simply put them in touch with the DRE, Joe Flaherty, at 703-938-1948 x1.
Each person’s journey is unique. Therefore, reception of the Sacraments is determined on an individual basis beginning with an informal meeting with the Director of Religious Education (DRE). This initial meeting allows the DRE to get to know you by listening to your story to assess your needs. You will be able to ask questions too! To begin sharing your story, contact the DRE, Joe Flaherty, at 703-938-1948 x1.
The Office of Religious Education will be happy to assist you in reception of the Sacraments of CONFIRMATION and EUCHARIST. In your initial conversation with the Director of Religious Education, Joe Flaherty, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and have your concerns addressed.
Adult Confirmation
Are you an adult BAPTIZED Catholic over the age of 18 who desires to receive the Sacraments of CONFIRMATION or EUCHARIST? The Office of Religious Education will be happy to assist you. In your initial conversation with the Director of Religious Education (DRE), Joe Flaherty, you will have the opportunity to express your questions and have your concerns addressed. Contact Joe at 703-938-1948 x1.
Each person’s faith journey is unique. Therefore, reception of the Sacraments is determined on an individual basis beginning with an informal meeting with the DRE. This initial meeting allows the DRE to get to know you by listening to your story to assess your needs. To begin, contact Joe at 703-938-1948 x1.
Confirmation of BAPTIZED Catholics takes place at the Cathedral of Thomas More each year on Pentecost Sunday.
You will need a sponsor to journey with you toward reception of the Sacraments of CONFIRMATION and/or EUCHARIST. Your sponsor will not only accompany you along the way but plays an integral part in the ceremony itself.
There is a close association between BAPTISM and CONFIRMATION. Therefore, the Church encourages if at all possible that one’s BAPTISMAL godparent also be one’s sponsor. The relationship between a godparent and their godchild, which began at BAPTISM, develops over the lifetimes of the godchild, which witnesses to a committed relationship with Jesus lived through prayer, sacramental participation, and service toward their neighbor.
If for some reason you want a different person other than your godparent to be your sponsor, the Church states that a CONFIRMATION sponsor must meet the requirements below:
- At least 16 years of age and sufficiently mature
- Cannot be the parent of the one seeking CONFIRMATION
- Have received BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, and EUCHARIST
- If married, their marriage is recognized by the Church
- Participate in the life of their parish community through frequent reception of the sacraments
- Live a life of moral commitment in loving service to others
Being a Sponsor or Godparent provides a more in-depth historical context of the explanation of these requirements.
The community of ST. MARK has many faithful Catholics who would be more than happy to accompany you. The DRE will be able to match you with a sponsor.
If you have youth in High School and desire to have your child CONFIRMED, please contact Joe Flaherty at 703-938-1948 x1.
