INTRODUCTION TO PREP
The Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) for children is to assist parents in the religious education of children attending public schools in Kindergarten to Grade 7 and to prepare them to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist in Grade 2 and Confirmation in Grade 7.
PREP used to be known as CCD (Catechism Confraternity of Christian Doctrine or simply as "Catechism," and provides religious education to Catholic children attending non-Catholic schools.
Welcome to New and Returning families!
We welcome you to Our Lady of Fatima Religious Education Program (PREP). We look forward to helping you with the important task of helping your children to encounter and draw near to God.
We believe that:
- At Baptism, parents make a solemn commitment to raise their children “in the practice of the Faith.” Families need to actively participate in the Life of the Church, especially Sunday Mass.
- Parents are the primary educators in the Faith. (General Directory for Catechesis, 225)
- A Christian home is a place where children first learn about Faith. The family home is “the domestic church,” a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues, and Christian charity. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1666)
- PREP does not take the place of parents, but rather assists them in their efforts to share the Faith with their children.
PREP at Our Lady of Fatima Parish
Our catechism teachers are volunteers and work in teams either teaching, co-teaching or assisting.
PREP is held every Saturday morning from 9:30 am to 11:00 am for levels 1 through 6. Level 7 classes start at 9:00 am until 11:00 am. Classes are offered to children from kindergarten to grade seven, commencing early in September and ending about the last week in May/first week of June.
Missed Lessons
When assessing the readiness of a student to progress to the next grade, we consider the nature and number of his absentee days. Please make sure your child attends the classes and participates fully. A student who has missed five or more classes without good reason will fail the grade.
Parent Participation
Parents support the religious education program by participating in parent sessions and working with their children at home.
Parents will ensure their children will
Attend classes each week
Attend weekly mass as a family
Come to class prepared
Have completed assigned work and studied their catechism and prayers in the home
Participate cooperatively and respectfully with PREP staff and other children
Complete all requirements of Sacrament preparation (if applicable).
Thank you and God bless,
Leonor and Sonia