Annmarie Flanagan - 215-493-5204
All Saint Ignatius children who do not attend private or diocesan Catholic schools are invited to participate in the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP.) If you are new to the area, we encourage you to register in the parish and become an active member of our faith community prior to enrolling your child in PREP. With approximately 650 students, 78 volunteer teachers and classroom aides, committees of hall monitors for each session and four office aides, there are many opportunities for parents and other parishioners to join our staff and grow in their faith as they journey toward Jesus along with our parish children.
REGISTRATION:
The curriculum builds on what was previously learned and experienced. Our program requires a minimum of 12 years attendance if we are to accomplish our objectives. We provide classes from grades K – 12 which are held in the parish school.
In March of each year, registration packets are mailed to families enrolled in the program. Announcements also are made in the church bulletin and forms are located in the Religious Education Office in the new wing of the parish school. Early registration enables us to recruit and train sufficient volunteer teachers and order textbooks and supplies accurately. Class size is limited to 20 or less and registration is done on a first come, first served basis. There are four sessions of PREP held during the week:
- Sunday 8am – 9:15am
- Sunday 10:45am – 12 noon
- Monday 6:30pm – 7:45pm
- Wednesday 6:30pm – 7:45pm
ROLE OF PARENTS:
Parents’ role in passing on the gift of faith to your children is so decisive that scarcely anything can compensate for a failure in it. As parents, you can create a family atmosphere so filled with love and reverence for God and his people that your children will be living Christian values even before they are intellectually aware of them. Your home is their first school of religious education!
It is the consistent teaching of the church that parents are the primary educators of their children. At the baptism of your child the priest addressed these words to you, “You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you accept the responsibility of training them in the practice of the faith. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?” You replied that you did. Our program is designed to assist you and to supplement the religious experiences which you provide as a family. We rely on your cooperation and lived faith at home for the success of our efforts. The administration and faculty of St. Ignatius PREP pledge our support to you in your roles as parents and educators in the ways of faith. We accept your children in all their uniqueness and consider it a privilege to share our love of God and church with them.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
For a registration form, copy of our annual calendar, information on Sacramental Preparation classes and/or a copy of our Parent Handbook, please stop by the Religious Education Office Monday through Friday between 9:30 – 2:30 or phone: 215-493-5204.
Ellen Schwalm, Administrative Assistant
Sue Smith, Coordinator
Mary Lou Bradley, Coordinator
Linda Stewart, Director of Religious Education