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K - 5th Grade
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.
- Curriculum
- The Sophia Institute
- The Spirit of Truth Curriculum offers so much to kids, catechists and parents/families. We are PUMPED to use these books this year!
- We will be using this curriculum to guide the formation of our students towards what truly matters...Heaven!
- A few lessons will be expected to be completed at home! Nothing crazy, but just a few pages of the book to make sure the information is settling.
We are praying this format offers families more freedom to grow in the faith together!
If you have any questions, please email
elementary@stmarknc.org
First Holy Communion
Our First Holy Communion program, per the Diocese of Charlotte, requires one year of Faith Formation prior to their Sacramental year.
First Holy Communion Masses are May 3rd and May 17th!
There are a few different things we are requiring and/or inviting the families to:
- Required: First Reconciliation Sacrament
- November 12th for SMCS families and Home School families
- November 19th for Faith Formation Families.
- If you cannot make the date you are assigned to, please plan on going to the other date.
- Times to follow, but it will take place in the evening, and a parent is required to stay, but both (and any family for that matter) are welcome!
- If you cannot make it to either date we do ask you to schedule a time with the Priest on your own for your child to receive the Sacrament. We do make it a very nice evening special for the children receiving this Sacrament, and it is very important so please try as best as you can to attend!
- Required: First Communion Parent - Child Retreat
- March 22nd - SMCS Students and Home School Students
- April 5th - Faith Formation Students
- Again, if you cannot make the date you are assigned please plan on coming to the other date.
- This retreat will be from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm!
- We will focus on the Eucharist at this retreat in preparation for the Sacrament in May.
- Invited to, highly requested that you attend: January 21st 5:30pm - Teaching Mass with the Priest!
- Join us to learn about what exactly your child is receiving in May, and why it is important that you attend Mass every week!
- First Communion Masses:
- SMCS Students - 5/3 @ 9:00 am
- MONDAY Echo Students and Home School Students: 5/3 @ 12:30 pm
- SUNDAY 9:30 Echo Students - May 17th @ 9:00 am
- SUNDAY 11:30 Echo Students and PATHWAYS Students - May 17th @ 12:30 pm
- Rehearsal for the 5/3 Masses is 4/29 at 5:30 in the Church
- Rehearsal for the 5/17 Masses is 5/12 at 5:30 in the Church
We encourage all parents to embrace the role as first and primary teachers of your children in faith and life. It is through your example that a child learns how to behave and what is important in this world. Believing that faith and a relationship with Jesus is the most important gift you can give your child we encourage all parents to attend Mass on a weekly basis and interact with your children regarding their religious education. If you make faith a priority in your household your children will be able to bloom in their individual faith. If you do not practice or place little importance on your faith, your children will reflect this as well and the time spent sending them to faith formation may have little benefit. Parents are the critical factor in their children’s faith.
“Since parents have given children their life, they are bound by the most serious obligation to educate their offspring and therefore must be recognized as the primary and principal educators. This role in education is so important that only with difficulty can it be supplied where it is lacking. Parents are the ones who must create a family atmosphere animated by love and respect for God and man, in which the well-rounded personal and social education of children is fostered. Hence the family is the first school of the social virtues that every society needs” ~Second Vatican Council, Gravissum Educationis