Nothing is more important than our children's safety!
To that end, please review the procedures below carefully and follow them precisely.
Non-compliance risks everyone's safety and will delay every family.
If you have any questions, please contact the PREP Office.

ARRIVAL

1. All students must enter through the main doors of Mother of Providence Regional Catholic School.
Do NOT enter through the gym.

2. Students should go directly to their classrooms upon arrival.

• Any child leaving early must be signed out of school before 11:50 am.

• Dismissal at or before 11:30 am will be counted as an absence.

St. John Chrysostom follows the COVID guidelines established by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia:

1. Children or adults exhibiting symptoms of COVID should not attend PREP.

2. Anyone who tests positive:

• May not return to PREP before the 6th day from the day of the positive test; and

• Is required to wear a mask if within the 6-10-day period from the day of the positive test.

3. Children or adults who come into close contact with a positive case may attend PREP with a mask.

Classes for grades 1-7 meet from 10:45 am to noon Sundays.
Adaptive PREP meets from 9:25 to 10:35 am.
We meet at Mother of Providence Regional Catholic School, on the parish campus.
Please check the calendar often, as schedules are subject to change.

CALENDAR

NEW FAMILIES: Please register at your earliest convenience. We will be in touch shortly.

NEW FAMILY REGISTRATION
ALL FAMILIES, PLEASE NOTE:

1. Registration is required each year for every student.

2. The Archdiocese requires attendance beginning in first grade.

3. Students must complete the full year of PREP before advancing to the next grade. Grades may not be skipped.
   Students with an extended absence will return to the same point in the program. This may delay their reception of the sacraments.

4. Enrollment in PREP (or in Catholic school) is required for participation in CYO Sports.

5. Registration is not complete until tuition is paid and a confirmation email is received.

Our mission is to help parishioners in Grades 1-7 develop a lifelong relationship with Jesus. Through example, service, study and prayer, we seek to nurture a love of God and service while teaching the values of our faith and preparing children for their sacraments.

We offer a Sunday morning program during the school year, an intensive Summer Session, and an Adaptive program for youth of all ages with special needs.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia requires that religious education students be enrolled every year, beginning in Grade 1, to complete their sacraments on schedule. Years may not be skipped.
Students who leave the program temporarily must return to the same grade level.

Our PREP students must be registered parishioners of SJC.
In addition, enrollment in PREP (or Catholic school) is required for participation in St. John's CYO.

We understand that some families have special circumstances that affect their child's religious education.
Please contact us as soon as possible to discuss any special needs.

Catholics with disabilities have a right to participate in the sacraments as fully as other members of the local ecclesial community .... Sacramental celebrations should be accessible to persons with disabilities and open to their full, active, and conscious participation'
"Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments
with Person with Disabilities"

St. John Chrysostom Parish treasures all parishioners as children of God with unique gifts. We are pleased to provide an Adaptive Religious Education program that offers  instruction and sacramental preparation and reception for youth of all ages in accordance with their abilities. Parents seeking special arrangements are asked to contact the PREP Office as soon as possible to discuss the needs of their children.

St. John's PREP enrolls hundreds of children. Our program depends on the assistance of many adult volunteers.

Adults serve as catechists, aides, substitutes and other helpers. No teaching experience is necessary ... just a love of the faith and a desire to install that in our children. We are eager to help you help our children and will provide all  materials and plenty of support.

Online catechist training is available free through the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Catechists are expected to obtain Basic Catechetical Certification by their second year. The certification materials are available free and online and may be completed at the individual's own pace from home. Please contact Patty Briganti for the link and log-in credentials..

Note: All adult PREP volunteers must fulfill the requirements of the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Program.

Contact Patty Briganti, Coordinator of Religious Education, to learn more.

Keeping kids learning and engaging in their faith can be a challenge.
Here are some helpers we like. Let us know if you find others!
1.   Help your child learn the Mass with an easy-to-follow, kid-friendly activity!
      Get our Kids' Mass Guide.
2.  The Kids' Bulletin offers puzzles, word searches and simplified explanations 
     of the week's teachings and readings. Get it here.
3.  Mary Jo Cole's "Bible in a Bag" on YouTube neatly summarizes the Sunday
     Gospel using her "Bible in a Bag."  Watch it here.

All parish children, regardless of school, traditionally celebrate First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion in 2nd grade and Confirmation in 7th grade. Students who leave the PREP program must return to the same grade, which may delay their sacramental schedule. Adaptive PREP students may receive their sacraments at any age, in accordance with their needs.

We understand that some families have special circumstances that affect their child's religious education. Please contact us as soon as possible to discuss any special needs.