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Parish Religious Education Program Ministry

Location
Our Lady of Fatima
1423 East 13th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5N 2B5
Contact
Leonor Pacheco and Sonia Rafael
(604) 879-0729
[email protected]

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

Check back with us regularly for new announcements for our 2023/24 PREP year.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Our team of volunteer catechists and assistants are looking forward to a wonderful year working with you to help share our Catholic faith with your children.

It is from you that they first learn their faith. Parent involvement is crucial in the growth and enrichment of your child/s faith.

Our first class will start on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 9:30 am.

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 have to repeat the year.

Instructions for Saturday, September 16

We will start by meeting as a group in the Hall of the Church on Saturday, September 16 at 9:30 for all classes. 

Students will be introduced to their catechists.

As a group, we will then go up to Mass in the Church. We encourage all parents to join us, after Mass we will have an information session for parents.

Instructions for Payment

We will start to accept payments on Saturday, September 16. 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 child's full name on the front of the envelope.

Up Next

In the next couple of weeks, we will also be sending out the Calendar with important dates. Please note that our first PREP Mass of the year will be on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at 10:00 am.  The participation of these Masses is highly encouraged as all Sunday Masses in general during the weekend.

Emails will be sent out regularly throughout the year containing important information regarding ongoing PREP curriculums and special dates. Please read them and share the information with your children. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Parents and catechists teaming together is the most important component of our religious education program. 

We thank you for your support.

Blessings,

Sonia and Leonor


Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are excited to announce the re-introduction to our Catholic Religious Education Program - Mass Journals. These journals are designed to engage our students in the Mass and help them deepen their understanding of the Catholic Faith. The students will be receiving their Mass journals on Saturday during classes.  

Here is some information regarding the Mass Journals.  

Bring to Sunday Mass: We request that students bring their Mass Journals with them to each Sunday Mass.

Journaling During Mass: While attending Mass, students are encouraged to use their journals to take notes, reflect on the readings and homily, and record any thoughts or questions they may have.

Signature Required: At the end of Mass, we ask that the journals be signed by their catechist or by the priest. This helps us track their participation and engagement in the Mass. 

The purpose of the Mass Journals is to foster a deeper connection with the Mass, encourage active participation, and provide an opportunity for students to seek clarification or guidance on any aspect of the service. It's a valuable tool for spiritual growth.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Mass Journals or any other aspect of our program, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to support you and your child's spiritual journey. 

Blessings,  

Sonia and Leonor

During this PREP Mass, our PREP children followed up with a beautiful presentation in regards to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Here is the transcript of this presentation.

As Catholics, we have a special reverence and love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. She holds a place of honour in our hearts and prays for our lives. Mary has many different faces. In our PREP program, our students have been working on a Marian project, learning who Mary is and why she appears so differently in various apparitions.

Our Lady of Fatima

  • She Appeared in Fatima, Portugal (1917).
  • The Virgin Mary appeared to three young shepherd children, asking them to pray the Rosary for peace.
  • She revealed three secrets, including predictions about future events and the need for conversion and world peace.

Our Lady of Mercy

  • Appeared in Simón, Spain (13th century).
  • Mary appeared to Saint Peter Nolasco with a call to establish the Order of Our Lady of Mercy (emphasizing the importance of freeing Christian captives from Moorish captivity).

Our Lady of Kibeho

  • Appeared in Kibeho, Rwanda (1981-1989).
  • Mary appeared to several teenagers, emphasizing the need for repentance, prayer, and reconciliation to prevent the tragic events that later unfolded in Rwanda.

Our Lady of Aparecida

  • Aparecida, Brazil (1717).
  • Message: The image of Our Lady of Aparecida was found by fishermen. It has since become the patroness of Brazil, symbolizing unity, protection, and maternal care.

Immaculate Heart of Mary

  • The Immaculate Heart of Mary is not associated with a specific apparition but represents Mary's innermost being, her love, and her role as a compassionate mother.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

  • She appeared in Tepeyac Hill, Mexico (1531).
  • Mary appeared to Juan Diego, an indigenous Mexican, and left her image on his tilma (cloak). Her message emphasized the unity of the indigenous and Spanish cultures, leading to the conversion of millions of indigenous people to Christianity.

Mary gave birth to Jesus, she is his mother and she is his first disciple, the mother of mankind and a companion to us on our spiritual journey. She watches over us, protects us and cares for us. The Virgin Mary has appeared with different titles and appearances, yet her message is consistent. She points us toward her Son, Jesus Christ. She encourages us to pray regularly, especially the Rosary. Her message is love, peace and prayer. She asks that we pray and repent for our sins and ask for peace for our families and for the world.

Our Lady Mother of God, pray for us.


On Saturday, November 4, 2023, our Confirmation Class of 2024 and their catechists attended the amazing Spirit Day event Hosted by the Archdiocese of Vancouver. Over 1000 students attended, it was truly amazing!


This year’s theme is “Anointed”. At Baptism, we are all anointed and we become indelibly marked as a member of the body of Christ, who is Priest, Prophet and King. This unites us as a community of believers who are called to holiness and to spread the Gospel to all. Our anointing at both Baptism and Confirmation gives us the strength to go out and be active members of the Church. We turn to the lives of the saints before us to inspire us to be missionary disciples in our everyday lives.
 
Spirit Day is an annual one-day event designed for Grade 7 students of our Archdiocese! Presented by the Ministries and Outreach Office (M&O Office), it is a celebration of faith designed to awaken the Holy Spirit in young people and get them excited about receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.


The event includes engaging, inspirational talks from APeX Ministries, praise & worship music, Holy Mass with our own Archbishop Michael Miller, CSB as well as skits and other fun bits created and performed by local youth and young adults.

Dear Parents and Students,

Advent is a joyous season of preparation!  Sunday, December 3, 2023, is the first Sunday of Advent. We would like to remind you that it is also a PREP Mass. Students are welcome to sit in the reserved pews at the front of the Church.

Following the Mass, the parish is hosting a St. Nicholas Breakfast in the Hall. The Breakfast is free and open to all families in our community. However, during the breakfast, we will accept donations to support Children's Hospital. Your contribution no matter the amount will make an impact.

We would like to also invite all families to the Christmas Children's Mass to be held on Sunday, December 24, 2023, at 8 pm.

This year we are looking for children and youth to actively participate in the Children's Mass. If your child would be interested in taking on a role during the Children's Mass, it would be a wonderful experience to share in the joy of the Christmas story. 

We are looking for lectors, ushers, singers and children to participate in the Nativity scene.

If your family can participate, please let us know by reaching out to us so that we can plan.

We appreciate your support. 

Blessings,  

Sonia and Leonor

Dear Parents and Families, 

As we prepare to celebrate the Christmas season, we would like to take a moment to share some important information regarding our upcoming schedule. Classes are set to resume on Saturday, January 6, 2024. 

We look forward to welcoming our students back for another exciting and enriching term.

However, amidst the holiday cheer, we regret to inform you of a recent unfortunate incident. One of our dedicated catechists, Vitoria Silva (level 3 catechist), experienced a devastating house fire, resulting in the loss of many of their possessions. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this challenging time.

In an effort, to support Vitoria and her family, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up. If you would like to contribute and help alleviate some of the burdens they are facing, please consider donating. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference.

The GoFundMe page can be accessed here: https://gofund.me/74d26620

Fundraising for Da Silva's Family, organized by Ligia and Bruno Savino

Thank you for your consideration, and we appreciate your continued support. 

Sunday, December 24, 2023, all are invited to attend the Children's Christmas Mass at 8 pm.

Blessings,  

Sonia and Leonor

Dear Parents, Families and Students,

Please mark your calendars for the following important dates that are coming up in January and February 2024.

Sunday, January 21, 2024 - PREP Mass at 10 am

Saturday, January 27, 2024 - Pajama Day and Pancake Day. Our annual fundraising event, held during catechism, wear your pyjamas and have some pancakes. The level 7 students will be hosting. If you can, please bring a donation for our sponsor child in Haiti (details can be found below).

Sunday, January 28, 2024 - Rite of Enrollment for Confirmation Candidates and Presentation of First Communion Candidates: Mass at 10 am.

Wednesday, February 14 - Ash Wednesday Masses: 9:00 am and 7:00 pm

Saturday, February 17, 2024 - No classes for Family Day

Saturday, February 24, 2024 - Classes Resume

Saturday, February 24, 2024 - Family Fun Evening Event (stay tuned for details)

Sunday, February 25, 2023 - PREP Mass at 10 am


Fundraiser Information:

For the last few years, the PREP program has been dedicated to a wonderful charity that has raised funds as a group. As our Lenten Service Project, we continue to sponsor Joveline Louis who goes to school in Ranquitte, Haiti. We aim to raise $300 for the cost of sending Joveline to school for one full year. We have proven success in raising these funds in recent years, let us please continue to support this child in need and who has made strides in her learning development.

Joveline Louis - Born on October 13, 2011, a grade 5 student with 5 siblings.

Blessings,

Sonia and Leonor

Dear Families,

We hope this message finds you all well.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 4:30 to 6:00 and 7:00 to 11:00 pm. We are hosting a Family Fun Night that's free for all. This event is designed to bring families together in a spirit of fellowship and celebration. It's an opportunity for parents, children and siblings to come together, unwind and enjoy each other's company.

Here's a glimpse of what you can expect at our Family Fun Night:

  • 4:30 to 6:00 games and activities for younger children.
  • Snacks and refreshments will be available for purchase.
  • 7:00 to 11:00 pm Music provided by DJ Fresh Flores, Dancing, Karaoke and fun games.
  • opportunities for meaningful connections
  • and much more!

This event is open to everyone. We encourage you to invite your friends to join in the fun.

Check out the attached poster.

Hope to see you there!

Blessings,

Sonia and Leonor