Religion Curriculum at St. Mark
Solid catechesis is essential to the development of a Christian worldview. As a Catholic School within the Diocese of Peoria, St. Mark's is committed to assisting families in authentically passing on our Catholic faith from one generation to the next. At the core of St. Mark's existance is the mission of passing on the deposit of faith.
By the time a student graduates from St. Mark they will:
- have learned God's message as proclaimed by the Church
- realize Jesus' presence in prayer and worship, as well as plan and participate in prayer service and liturgies
- have prepared for and received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation
- have learned elements of appropriate behavior in Church as well as knowledge about and appreciating other Christians and non-Christian faiths
- Have been introduced and given the opportunity to form a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
St. Mark School Religious Education News
Students in both our parish school and CCD programs use the Ignatius series, Faith and Life. In addition, the Kindergarten class uses the Ignatius series, Image of God, and Pre-K uses God Made the World from Loyola Press. All classes have a special class patron saint and will choose a prayer partner for the year.
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Each month, we focus on a particular virtue, spend time learning more about it, and, especially, try harder to practice it. The virtues for this new school year are as follows:
For more information about each month’s virtue, visit our school website – www.saint-mark.net
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Our students will be involved in a variety of service projects throughout the year and try to answer the call by baptism to be the hands, voice, and presence of Jesus to all those we meet by sharing time, talent, and treasure. One project that will keep us busy this fall is collecting clothing, school supplies, computers, and other items for our brothers and sisters in Kitui, Kenya. More information will be coming!
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We are so blessed at St. Mark School to be able to provide our students with many opportunities to grow in their relationship with our Lord. We invite everyone to join us in prayer:
- All School Masses each Friday and major feast days
- Rosary: Each Friday afternoon, 2:40 at school
- Sacrament of Reconciliation: monthly
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
Sacramental Preparation classes will begin soon!
PILGRIM VIRGIN
Beginning in October, students in grades K-8 will each have a turn to host the Pilgrim Virgin for a week in their homes. The Pilgrim Virgin program is one that encourages family recitation of the Rosary. Each Pilgrim Virgin kit contains a statue of our Blessed Mother, rosaries, videos, and pamphlets containing the Rosary prayers. When it is your family’s turn to host, you will receive an invitation to join your child at Mass and then come forward with him or her at the end of Mass to receive the Pilgrim Virgin. When your family hosts the Pilgrim Virgin, please remember to pray for all of us, and we will be praying for you, too! The names of all of the host families are posted outside of the Religious Education Office each week.
POCKETS OF PRAYER
So many of our brothers and sisters are in need of our prayers. On a daily basis, we are reminded of many prayer intentions and requests. We also know that there is power in numbers! How wonderful to have many people praying for our special intentions! Therefore, we have begun a program called “pockets of prayer.” In the main hallway of the school, there is a “pockets” banner. Each time someone has a special prayer request, it can be written down a placed in a “pocket,” and each week the requests are typed up and sent home with the children.
The real “pockets” come from those who take those intentions, and with their family, friends, prayer group, clubs, or others join together in a “pocket of prayer” for those specific intentions.
We invite everyone to form or join a “pocket” to pray for the needs of those who have asked for our prayers.
Please pray especially for the work being done here at St. Mark’s. We know that without humbly beginning all of our efforts in prayer and trying to discern God’s Holy Will, we cannot succeed. We also know that it takes constant prayer to continue to keep our gaze focused on Heaven. Our goal is to help to guide all of God’s little ones, young and old, to support and help one another, so that one day we might all see the beautiful Face of God!
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For more information about “pockets of prayer” or any of the information listed here, please contact Terry at smstmischler @ insightbb.com.