Parish Religious Education Program Ministry
MinistriesWelcome 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 encounter and draw near to God.
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.
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 a 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 that their children will:
- Attend classes each week.
- Attend weekly mass as a family.
- Come to class prepared.
- Have completed the assigned work and studied their catechism and prayers at 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
Announcements
Check back regularly for new announcements for our 2025/26 PREP year.
WELCOME BACK - September 13, 2025
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to the start of a new year in our PREP (catechism) program! Whether you're returning or joining us for the first time, we are thrilled to have you as part of our community.
Our dedicated volunteer catechists and assistants are excited to work alongside you to nurture your child's faith journey. As parents, you are the first and most important teachers of the faith, and your involvement is essential to your child’s spiritual growth and development.
We ask parents to please make a sincere commitment to:
- Attend Sunday mass regularly.
- Attend parent meetings. Dates to be advised.
- Pray, make prayer part of your family life.
- Reinforce your child's lesson and prayers at home.
- Ensure mass journals and assignments are completed.
- Ensure students are prepared for class. Bring your book and any other supplies needed.
Ensure students attend classes regularly, including PREP masses. After five absences (including prep Masses), children may be required to repeat the year.
Instructions for Saturday, September 13
On the first day, class will start on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 9:30 am. We kindly ask that a parent or guardian accompany the child for the entire session. We will begin in the HALL of the Church with a special blessing ceremony, after which parents and students will have the opportunity to meet with the catechists.
Instructions for Payment
We will start to accept payments on Saturday, September 13. Payments can be made by debit, cash or cheque.
For cash and cheque please place the exact amount in an envelope with your full name and your child's full name on the front of the envelope. Cheques are to be made out to Our Lady of Fatima Portuguese Parish.
We appreciate your commitment and look forward to seeing you there!
Blessings,
Sonia and Leonor
PREP 2025/26 Calendar
A Message of Needed Support to our PREP Families
Knights of Columbus - Keep Christ in Christmas
Hello Families,
The Knights of Columbus visited our students in early November and invited them to participate in the Keep Christ in Christmas colouring contest.
For instructions and to download the entry form, please click the following button.
All completed entries are due by Saturday, December 06, and winners will be announced before Christmas Break.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your PREP Coordinators or teachers.
GOOD LUCK!
Here are your results. Thank you all for your participation.
St. Nicholas Pancake Breakfast - December 7, 2025
In follow-up to this event.
A heartfelt thank you to our volunteers and Grade 7 PREP class for their exceptional dedication in organizing the St. Nicolas Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, December 7, 2025, which raised $1,081.52 for BC Children's Hospital. We extend our gratitude to the parish community for their generous support.
Important Dates for January and February 2026
For the past few years, the Prep program has come together to support a special charity that holds deep meaning for our community. As part of our Lenten Service Project, we continue our commitment to sponsoring a child from Haiti. The school we support is located in Ranquitte, Haiti, and this year we have the continued privilege of sponsoring 14-year-old Joveline Louis, who is now in grade 7. Our shared goal is to raise $300, the amount needed to give Joveline the gift of attending school for an entire year. Through our generosity and teamwork, we can make a real difference in her life.
Sunday, February 22, 2026 - PREP Mass at 10:00 am. PLEASE NOTE that we will be initiating the Rite of Enrollment for Confirmation Candidates and Presentation of First Communion Candidates during this mass.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 - Ash Wednesday. Mass: 9:00 am (Portuguese) / 7:00 pm (English)
Saturday, February 14, 2026 - No classes in light of Family Day.
Thank you for your continued support of our program and our initiatives.
Blessings,
Sonia and Leonor