Faith Formation FAQ

Faith Formation FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about our Faith Formation Program


  • Do I have to attend Mass Every Sunday?

    As a participant in St Mark Faith Formation program weekly Mass attendence is a requirement.

  • Can I register more than one child on a registration form?

    Although in past years the registration forms have been set up to allow multiple children on a form, it resulted in many accounting errors and excessive administrative work.   Due to the limits of our technology and an effort to reduce administrative work and reduce errors   we ask this year that each child be registered individually. ONE child per form.   We apologize for the inconvenience for those with larger families.

  • Can I register using a paper form?

    This year all registrations must be online.   If you have difficulty entering information on the form you can come to the Welcome desk and one of the Faith Formation Team Can assist you in entering the information. Payment can be made at the Welcome desk it paying in Cash or Check.

  • Are there any credits for a previous year that was uncompleted?

    Each Year the program is self-contained and fees and payments do not transfer to the following year.

  • Does my family need to be a parishioner of St. Mark Catholic Church in order to register for a Faith Formation Program?

    Yes and No.


    Public, Charter, Non-Catholic Private School Students

    • Families of students who attend public, charter, or non-Catholic private schools registering to attend St. Mark’s K-8 faith formation programs must be members of our St. Mark Parish. Please visit www.stmarknc.org/registration if you are not yet registered. 

    St. Mark Catholic School Students

    • Celebrating the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation are parish-based events that have additional requirements and sacrament fees. St. Mark School supports the church by providing the religious education portion of a student’s faith journey. The year that the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, or Confirmation will be received, registration and sacrament fees apply. Please visit www.stmarknc.org/registration if you are not yet a St. Mark parishioner.
    • St. Mark Catholic School students who are not St. Mark’s parishioners, but plan to celebrate their Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, or Confirmation at St. Mark Catholic Church require a letter from their parish’s pastor stating that they have permission to celebrate the sacraments at St. Mark Catholic Church. St. Mark requirements such as registration and fees also apply. Please contact your parish and kindly ask them to email this letter to sarah.rider@stmarknc.org. 

    Life Teen H.S. Youth Ministry

    • All High School teens from St. Mark Church, other Diocese of Charlotte parishes, and friends of Life Teen participants are welcome to attend Life Teen events. All teens are welcome to attend (1 or 2) events for free to come and see the program. Continued participation requires registration and fees apply. Participating teens may attend programs as their schedules allow. 
  • My child is under 7 years old and not yet Baptized. What should I do?

    Contact Emily Bixler at emily.bixler@stmarknc.org to arrange for your child to be baptized.

  • My child is in Elementary or Middle School, and is not yet Baptized. What should I do?

    Enroll your child in the RCIC program, (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children). Students participate in a 2-year sacrament preparation program that prepares them for the sacramental rites of initiation.

  • When should my child begin preparation for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion and how long is the program?

    Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is 2 years. 


    Year 1 and Year 2 Sacrament Prep

    Year 1 sacrament preparation typically begins in the 1st grade, and Year 2 in the 2nd Grade. 2nd grade students in their first year of faith formation will also be placed in Year 1 Sacrament Prep. Additional requirements and fees may apply. All Diocese of Charlotte and St. Mark Catholic Church requirements must be followed.


    3rd - 6th Grade: Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion

    Students in the 3rd - 6th grade who are Baptized, but have not yet celebrated their Sacraments of Reconciliation or First Holy Communion will register under the “Pathways Program.” Our staff will place students with similarly aged students in either Year 1 or Year 2 Sacrament Preparation programs to prepare them for these sacraments at the end of Year 2. Afterwards, we encourage all children to continue with their Journey of Faith based upon their current grade level. Please reach out to Paul Laskowski at sarah.rider@stmarknc.org with any questions.


    7th Grade - High School Students

    Staff will work closely with students in 7th Grade - High School who are Baptized, but have not yet received Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, or Confirmation in order to place them with closely aged peers and in the best program option. Please register your student under “Pathways Program” and contact Paul  Laskowski at sarah.rider@stmarknc.org if you have questions.


  • When will my child celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation?

    Preparation for Confirmation is 2 years and is a process that involves Mass attendance, religious education, youth ministry, service, and more. 

    • Confirmation Year 1: Typically, students begin what is called “remote preparation” in 7th grade and enroll in Confirmation Year
    • Confirmation Year 2: Students should then be well-catechized and spiritually ready for their proximate year of preparation which may begin as early as the 8th grade. Students in their second year enroll in Confirmation Year 2.
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