St. Mark's Christian Education Program
Director: Sue Reilly
e-mail: sue.stm@comcast.net

Registration for Christian Education begins. This year, we will offer Family Faith Formation classes two (2) Tuesday evenings per month (the first and third Tuesdays most likely, but there will be a schedule of dates provided) from 6:00pm – 7:30pm.

Children, ages Kindergarten through Grade 10 may attend with at least one family member. This family member must be an adult (mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, child who has been confirmed).
Family Faith Formation is gaining popularity within the church, worldwide. It is being embraced as part of the family experience, and is bringing the Catholic faith alive within our homes. Our Bishop of Paterson, Kevin J. Sweeney, encourages us to be inclusive in our teaching of the Catholic Faith, and is very proud that Family Faith Formation is becoming the norm for many of us. We are doing everything we can to provide a positive, enlightening experience for our St. Mark’s families. We have found this to be very desirable in the past, when we offered Family Faith Formation classes before we were shut down with the pandemic, and it has proven to be a fun and effective way to grow in our faith, together as families, and have fun doing so!

Most of the classes will be held here, at the church, in person. There may be an occasional on-line lesson or project to be done at home. Children will be grouped grade-appropriately, as well as combined with adults for special activities. Children in grades K, 1 & 2 may come in their pajamas! After they complete their lesson, they will have snack, say prayers and be read a Catholic Bedtime story. Just deliver home and kiss goodnight! Of course, regular Mass attendance is the most important part of our family life, as well as our Faith Formation classes, so is considered the central focus for us, as always.

You will find the new Registration Form on our website: www.stmarksnj.org, where you can download it, fill it out and either mail or deliver to the church (there will be a box outside for drop-off).

COST: The cost for the program is $200.00 per family, and covers all resources & materials. Payment must be made on-line through Faith Direct, by going to our website and proceeding to Faith Direct, then scrolling down to the SECOND Faith Direct Button entitled: “Donate Now”. You can then scroll to “Christian Education Payment”. No Registration will be accepted without payment, or if any part of the Registration Form is left blank. You will be contacted via an e-mail communication, when we have received all paperwork and payment, have developed a schedule of classes, and as we get closer to beginning classes in September.

This communication is being sent to all families who participated in our on-line program last year. If you know of someone who is new to the parish, or who wishes to join us this year, please forward the information to them. The program is offered to registered families at St. Mark’s or Our Lady of the Mountain churches. Details will also be on our website.

 Here we go, on another adventure, together! God bless you all,
Susan A. Reilly, DRE

phone: 908-850-0652