Coordinator:           Sister Kathleen Fitzpatrick, IHM

Phone:                      610-688-6590

The purpose of the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) is to help both parents and their children grow in knowledge of their Faith and in communion and intimacy with Jesus Christ through Word and Sacrament.

The PREP Program for children in Level 1 through 6 and older youth, who need sacramental preparation, is held on Mondays from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Classes begin in September and conclude in May. All families registered in the parish whose children attend non-catholic school are welcome to participate.

At the 10:00 am Sunday Mass throughout the year, young children who have not yet received the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist, are invited to attend “Children’s Liturgy of the Word.” Two adult catechists accompany the children to the Sacred Heart Chapel after the Opening Prayer of the Mass until the beginning of the Offertory. During this time apart, the message of the Sunday Scripture Readings, especially the Gospel is presented in an enjoyable, age-appropriate manner.

During both PREP classes and “Children’s Liturgy of the Word,” well-trained catechists share the teachings of Jesus Christ in such a way that the young person comes to know about and believe in God and is transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Excellent preparation for the reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation is an integral component of the parish Religious Education Program. Since a minimum of two full years of religious instruction is mandated before the reception of the sacraments, First Penance is received during Advent of Level 3 and First Eucharist during the Easter Season of Level 3. Confirmation is administered after the successful completion of Level 6. Parents are strongly urged to actively participate in their child’s preparation for the sacraments by frequent family prayer and Family Sunday Mass attendance. Active participation in the Saturday Parent/Candidate Retreat is also essential to insure adequate spiritual formation.

The level-specific curriculum is based on the “Archdiocese of Philadelphia Curriculum Guidelines” and the new Christ Our Life (Loyola Press) Religion Program with separate texts/workbooks for the semester immediately preceding the reception of the sacraments. All Religious instruction is based on the six tasks of effective catechesis: CREED, MORALITY, LITURGY, PRAYER, COMMUNITY and MISSION. Devotion to Mary, our Mother and our Model is an integral component of our Faith Formation Program. Like Mary who was filled with God’s grace, we strive to become living examples of Jesus, her Son.

Well-trained, dedicated catechists, as well as adult and high school assistants, conduct our PREP classes. For this year 2010-2011, our catechists and assistants are:           

Level 1:          Catechist:      Mrs. Maureen Preston                                   

High School Aide:   Chelsey Hartsock           

Level 2:          Catechist:      Mrs. Diana Dinenna                                   

High School Aide:   Ally Thomas           

Level 3:          First Reconciliation & First Eucharist                                   

Catechist:      Mrs. Christine Gaeto                                   

Catechist:      Mrs. Kathryn Geckle           

Level 4:          Catechist:      Mrs. Barbara Morosse                                   

                         Catechist:      Sister Jeanne Patricia Crowe, IHM           

Level 5:             Catechist:      Mrs. Rosemary Ise                                   

                         Adult Assistant:       Mrs. Pamela DiMartini                                   

                         High School Aide    Sonny DiMartini           

Level 6:          Catechist:      Mr. Drew Bilotta                                   

                         Catechist:      Mrs. Mary Murphy

Older Sacramental Students:      Mr. James Klein 

High School aide:                             Mary Klein          

 “Children’s Liturgy of the Word”:         Sister Kathleen Fitzpatrick, IHM

                                                                         Mrs. Marge Seedor

Catechists and assistants are always welcome and receive training, detailed lesson plans and classroom materials. Anyone interested should contact Sister Kathleen Fitzpatrick, IHM (610-688-6950).

The catechists and assistants work in partnership with parents in the formation of Faith in the children and young people of our parish.

·        Parents participate in individual grade level meetings, prayer services and parent/candidate sacramental retreats.

·        Parents are required to nurture their children’s prayer life and Mass attendance through the practice of family prayer experiences and weeklyFamily Mass attendance.

·        Parents are responsible to monitor study of the Faith and to check for comprehension and completion of PREP home assignments.

·        Parents receive a mid-year and final progress report which assess the student’s attendance, completion of home and class assignments and knowledge of religious content from class instruction.

Registration forms for the following year’s PREP Classes are sent home to parents in May. Parents of first grade children or new students may obtain a PREP Registration Form in the Parish Office Center in the basement of the Church, or in the Office of the DRE (Sister Kathleen Fitzpatrick, IHM (610-688-6590).

PREP Registration will also be held after all Masses the weekends of: August 21-22, August 28-29 and September 4-5, 2010.