Faith In Action

At St. Mark, we live our Catholic faith, and it is incorporated into the school day in a variety of ways.

DAILY RELIGION LESSONS
All of our students from Preschool through 8th grade attend Religion class daily.

WEEKLY ALL-SCHOOL MASS
Each week, the entire school participates in an All-School Mass led by the St. Mark Pastor. A different grade level helps to prepare the All-School Mass each week and offers the Call To Worship, the Mass readings, and presents the Communion gifts. In addition, 5th graders serve as the Choir at these Masses, and yet another class is assigned to take the "Vocations Chalice" at the conclusion of Mass and pray for vocations during the upcoming week. All-School Masses are open to everyone.

PRAYER PARTNERS
Students in Preschool through second grade are paired with middle school students in grades sixth through eighth forming special relationships called "Prayer Partners." During these years, middle school students are responsible for guiding their elementary school counterparts and acting as role models during the weekly All-School Masses. This relationship becomes especially meaningful during the second and eighth grade years as both students receive Sacraments. 

VIRTUES OF THE MONTH
Each month, students are asked to focus on a virtue. Teachers incorporate the Virtue of the Month into their classrooms through stories and activities that enable students to see the virtue in action. Each Friday before Mass, classes particpate in "Our Time," a special discussion about the ways that students have lived the virtue. Virtues are also incorporated into the monthly All School Service Projects. 

SACRAMENT PREPARATION
Sacrament preparation is incorporated into the school day. Second grade students receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion, and eighth grade students receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

LIVING SAINTS MUSEUM
In recognition of All Saints Day, 8th grade students choose and research the saint of their choice. They dress as their chosen saints and are stationed at various locations around the church. Preschool and elementary school students visit each saint in the "museum exhibit" and are presented with a brief oral history of that saint's life, enabling them to learn from the 8th graders.

LIVING STATIONS OF THE CROSS
8th grade students reenact the Stations of the Cross in costume during the Easter season.

LIVING ROSARY
Each October, the month of the rosary, fifth grade students present the Living Rosary. Each fifth grader holds a large "rosary bead" and leads the congregation in the corresponding prayer.

CHRISTMAS NATIVITY PROGRAM
The annual Christmas Nativity Program is presented by students in Preschool through fifth grade. Fifth grade students dress in elaborate costumes and present the story of the Nativity. The lower grades each perform a Christmas carol as part of the story.

ALTAR SERVERS
Beginning in fourth grade, students have the opportunity to become altar servers. Training is provided. Altar servers participate in both school and parish Masses. Click here for more information.

VOCATIONS CHALICE
At the conclusion of the weekly All-School Mass, one grade-level is chosen to take the "Vocations Chalice" back to class with them. The chalice is displayed in the classroom during the upcoming week and the class says special prayers for vocations.

HOLY TRINITY SEMINARY
St. Mark maintains a special relationship with the seminarians at Holy Trinity Seminary. Students and seminarians pray for one another daily. Students engage in various activities benefitting the seminary such as volunteering at the annual Spes Gregis Seminarian Welcome Dinner, participating in a rosary-making class and selling the rosaries to benefit the seminary, making Christmas cards for the seminarians, and more.