Coordinator:
Sister Rose Caritas,IHM
Phone: 610-688-6590

The purpose of the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) is to assist the parents of elementary school children in the formal religious instruction of their children. The goal of the program is the formation of living faith in the children and their families and includes preparation for the celebration of sacraments.

PREP class sessions meet each Monday from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM during September to May. PREP instruction is provided to students of OLA-registered families who attend non-catholic elementary school in levels one to six.

The level-specific curriculum is based on the "Archdiocese of Philadelphia Curriculum Guidelines" and the Faith and Life Series (Ignatius Press). Each level of instruction contains core content for fall and spring semesters. This content includes Sacred Scripture, the Liturgical cycle of the Church year, sacraments, sacramentals, social justice, forms of prayer, traditional memorized prayers, titles and feasts of Mary, feasts of the saints, and Catholic identity. Each semester PREP students will participate in Liturgical services, such as, Penance services during Advent and Lent, Stations of the Cross, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Volunteer catechists and assistants teach our PREP classes. For the 2006 - 2007 academic year, our catechists and assistants are the following:

Carolyn Aspinall
Andrew Bilotta
Alex DiMartini
Pam DiMartini
Suzanne Domenick
Kathryn Horulk
Kerry Hughes
Christine Gaeto
Nicholas Gaeto
Barbara Gerolamo
Peter Gerolamo
Rosemary Ise
Matthew Lombardi
Barbara Morosse
Jeannine Peters
Gabrielle Sommese

Volunteer catechists and assistants are always welcome and receive training, lesson plans and classroom materials. Anyone interested should contact Sister Francis Helen, IHM.

The catechists and assistants work in partnership with parents/guardians in the formation of faith in the children.

• Parents/guardians participate in an orientation meeting, held on the first evening of PREP classes.
• Parents/guardians are requested to nurture and encourage their children's prayer life and Mass attendance through the good example of their own prayer life and weekly Mass attendance.
• Parents/guardians are requested to monitor study and home assignments and to check for comprehension and completion.
• Parents/guardians receive a mid-year progress report which assesses the student's attendance, completion of home and class assignments, and knowledge of religious content from class instruction.

Our catechists and parish community rejoice in passing our faith to our young members in the preparation for sacraments. This also offers an opportunity for a deepening of understanding and faith for parents/guardians. Parents/guardians are requested to actively participate in their child's preparation for sacraments in levels two, three, and six, including attendance at parent/guardian sacramental meetings for ongoing faith formation. Students preparing to receive Sacraments of Initiation (Holy Communion or Confirmation) will participate in a day of prayer and spiritual enrichment as remote spiritual preparation for the reception of their sacrament. PREP students in level 2 prepare and receive the sacrament of Reconciliation; in level 3, the sacrament of Holy Communion; and in level 6, the sacrament of Confirmation.

Each spring, pre-registration for the following year's PREP classes is held. Each August the PREP yearly calendar, parent/guardian agreement form and student emergency information form will be mailed to each PREP student's residence. This information is to be returned by September 18^th.

The PREP tuition fees for the 2006 - 2007 academic year are the following:
One child:

• Tuition is $75, which is due on or before September 18^th.
• If paid after October 16th, tuition increases to $100.

• Tuition is $125, which is due on or before September 18^th.
• If paid after October 16th, tuition increases to $150.

• Sacramental fee is $35 per child, which is due on or before September 18^th.
• If paid after October 16th, the fee increases to $45 per child.