PREP REGISTRATION for the 2023-2024 PREP year will begin in Aprill 2023

PREREQUISITES

• The family must be registered in St. Joseph Parish.
• Students must attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. The basis of all religious instruction is the Liturgy of the Word and of the Eucharist. Attending religious instruction is always in addition to Mass attendance.
• A child in level 2 through 7 must have completed the previous year of religious education before moving on to the next year (e.g. level 1 must be completed before entering level 2; level 3 completed before entering level 4, level 4 completed before entering level 5, etc. level 6 completed before entering level 7, etc.), regardless of the child’s grade in school. If your child has missed a few years of PREP, please contact the PREP Office. Kindergarten classes are offered but are not mandatory. Please contact the PREP Office with any questions.
• Religious Education Classes are not extracurricular activities, but  classes. Each class is the equivalent of one week of school. Regular attendance is necessary to progress to the next Level.

• Sacrament reception is in grade level 2 for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, and grade 7 for Confirmation. Children should complete the level 1 material before beginning level 2 preparation for Sacrament reception. Students should then continue with each successive year (grade levels 3-6) prior to preparing to receive Confirmation as 7th graders.
  We offer classes for those who may be off grade level in preparing to receive Sacraments, usually on Tuesday evenings. Let us know of your needs so we can work together on a good resolution for everyone.

Registration for 2022-2023 is ongoing and ends on July 31, 2022. Families new to PREP can register at any time.

PREP registration is online. Please contact the PREP Office (610) 873-8798 or [email protected] if this a problem for you.

A copy of the baptismal record, for anyone NOT baptized at St. Joseph, Downingtown  is necessary for registration to be considered complete (may be sent later). Please keep in mind that classes do fill up, and when they do, we need to close that day or grade. We can NOT guarantee that you’ll receive your first choice for day or time. While PREP is offered at  different times for Levels 1 through 6, some grades levels fill up quickly.

When a grade Level fills up, it will be closed in that session. Some levels may  NO longer be available at all times. Please make an alternate selection in case your primary choice is NOT available.  Please contact the PREP Office with any concerns or questions.  [email protected] or 610-873-8798.

Kindergarten classes are only offered on MON 5:15- 6:15

LEVEL 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are offered weekly
MON 5:15-6:30 PM
OR
TUE 6:15-7:30 PM

LEVEL 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are offered  monthly
SUN 9:00-10:15
Students attend one class a monthly and parents instruct at home the rest of the tiem each month.

LEVEL 7 (CONFIRMATION) IS OFFERED Monday or Tuesday evenings…9-26/27; 10-3/4, 10/11, 17/18, 24/25; 11-7/8-14/15 – with one review session on a Monday/Tuesday in the month of reception (TBD).  A monthly Sunday class is also offered.

Level 7 students who attend Camp Caritas do not attend PREP but will have a Sunday meeting in March and other responsibilities throughout the year.

 When a grade Level fills up, it will be closed in that session. If there is classroom availability, and volunteers step forward, we may be able to offer another class. Please contact the PREP Office with any concerns or questions.

Child of volunteers are placed in the session of their parent's preference.
Students MUST attend every monthly session. Parents are responsible to do the assigned chapters weekly with their child(ren) during the remainder of the month. Presently, all these classes are full.

The PREP program needs Catechists (teachers).
Please consider volunteering. All of our catechists are volunteers.

If you are volunteering your child(ren) will be placed in the session of you choosing.
We welcome teen aides. They are a wonderful addition to our classrooms.

ONLY children of parents who volunteer are guaranteed placement in the session of their preference.

Please prayerfully consider sharing your time and talent with the young people of St. Joseph Parish, or ask someone you know. Being a teen aide is a great Graduation Project for High School teens. We welcome teens as classroom aides.

2022-2023 PREP Registration Fees

Registration Fees for children in kindergarten through Level 7  are:

1 child /$230.00;  2 children/$400.00;  3 or more children/$530

Weekly volunteers: 1 child /$170.00;  2 children/$300.00;  3 or more children/$400

Full payment is due at registration. If payment is a problem, please contact the PREP office to discuss a payment plan. Payment should be completed BEFORE September, 2022.

If you are volunteering please go to the PREP volunteer page.