St. Joseph Parish Religious Education Program 340 Manor Avenue Downingtown, PA 19335

610-873-8798 PREP@stjosephrc.org WEBSITE: stjosephrc.org/prep

If you have any questions, call the office. May God bless you as you discern what is the best placement for your child(ren).

We are now registering for St. Joseph PREP 2015-16 school year.

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 6 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, etc.), regardless of the child’s grade in school. Religious Education Classes are not extracurricular activities, but weekly classes. Each class is the equivalent of one week of school. Regular, weekly attendance is necessary to progress to the next Level.

REGISTRATION PREP registration is online ONLY. Please contact the PREP Office (610) 873-8798 or PREP@stjosephrc.org if this is a problem for you. Please go to the PREP website www.stjosephrc.org /prep and click on the PREP REGISTRATION button. 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. Classes for Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5, Level 6 are offered at 4 different sessions: MON 5:00-6:15 MON 6:45-8:00 TUE 5:00-6:15 TUE 6:45-8:00. Kindergarten classes are ONLY offered on MON 5:00- 6:00 and TUE 5:00-6:00 A copy of the baptismal record, for any child NOT baptized at St. Joseph, 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 offer classes each year trusting that good people will step forward to teach. If we do not

have enough volunteers, schedules will need to be changed and you will be contacted.

Volunteering

Please consider helping out .We can offer a quality religious-education program for our children only if we all are willing to participate in whatever way our schedules permit. All PREP “teachers” volunteer their time. What a great example of stewardship this is! Please fill out the volunteer form (click here to fill out volunteer form). To help protect all of God’s children, all volunteers must have on file in the Parish Offices: Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse History Clearance and verification that they have attend a Safe Environment session with Technology Addendum Update and attend a Mandated Reporter Session. There is a reduced rate for weekly volunteers (see Registration Fees below). Babysitting, for younger children of volunteers, is available during MON 5:00 and TUE 5:00 sessions. Volunteers are given preference of PREP session for their child(ren).

TEEN volunteers are welcome for help in the classroom. Teens use the same electronic volunteer form found on the PREP website page.

Registration Fees: Before June 15, 2015 1child/$150.00 2children/$255.00 3or more children/$365

Before June 15, 2015 Weekly volunteers (primarily catechists, i.e., teachers) – 1 child /$110.00 2children/$195.00 3or more children/$275

After June 15, 2015 1 child /$175.00 2children/$305.00 3or more children/$440 After June 15, 2015 Weekly volunteers (primarily catechists, i.e., teachers) –

1 child /$135.00 2children/$245.00 3or more children/$350

St. Joseph Parish Religious Education Program 340 Manor Avenue

Downingtown, PA 19335 610-873-8798 (phone) 610-873-5466 (fax)

KathyT@stjosephrc.org

April 2105

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Spring has sprung, even though we’re still seeing a bit of winter stubbornness hanging on here

and there. Flowers are beginning to bloom, grass is greening up, and pollen will be out in full

force soon. My sympathies to all who suffer with allergies!

Our PREP year is quickly winding down with only four more classes to go. Your children’s

catechists will be working hard to finish covering the remaining material before we break for the

summer. The children are expected to be in class on PREP days even with Spring sports kicking

into high gear. Projects and testing are finishing up. There are First Communion practices

coming up followed by First Communion day. There is also the Parish May Procession on May

7th

, the week we finish classes. All are welcome and encouraged to participate in honoring our

Blessed Mother as a family and we’ll be asking for 2nd

and 6th

graders to help in a special way as

we do every year.

Should the need arise for early dismissal, please send a note to the catechist and then meet your

child in the PREP Office.

We’re still meeting from 5:00-6:15 (kindergarten until 6:00) and from 6:45-8:00 on Mondays

and Tuesdays.

It is my hope that you were able to participate in at least one of the Sacred Triduum celebrations

– Holy Thursday’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper and night prayer; Good Friday’s morning prayer,

celebration of the Passion of Jesus at 3:00 in the afternoon, and Stations of the Cross; Holy

Saturday’s Vigil Mass at night – and one of the many Masses offered here on Easter Sunday. If

you were travelling, perhaps you were able to participate in Mass on Easter Sunday at a church

in the area where you were.

Thank you for all you do for your children and for us. In partnering together the children come to

know their faith is so much more than book (head) knowledge. They witness their catechists and

you living out what they are learning. May it all translate over time into a deeper relationship

with Jesus Christ and a willingness to stay close to Him through prayer, learning,and practicing

what they believe.

Please do read on for more on the Year of Consecrated Life.

A Happy Easter Season to you all!

Mrs. Kathy Thomas, DRE

“The Year of Consecrated Life: Spiritual Life in the Fast Lane”, from an article by Father

James M. Sullivan, O.P. –

Father Sullivan continues on with the theme of the evangelical counsels of poverty,

chastity, and obedience – the vows professed by every man and woman who lives the

consecrated life.

These vows each imply a certain renunciation of the goods of this world – material

possessions, marriage and family, and self-direction. Those who make these vows feel called by

God to this state in life. It does not mean that they will not have struggles related to the things of

the world. The walls of a monastery or cloister, or convent do not prevent normal human

struggles.

One way to look at those who live the vowed life is as a form of penance or on-going

Lent. Pope Saint John Paul II noted that “the more they stand at the foot of the cross of Christ,

the more immediately and profoundly they experience the truth of God who is love” (Vita

Consecrata #24). Trying to live these vows by any other means than love will end in failure.

As Saint Francis of Assisi put it: “O Lord, I pray to you, that the power of your love,

burning and sweet, may absorb my soul and remove it from all that is under heaven, so that I

may die for love of your love, since you have deigned to die for love of my love.”

May all of our penances (Lenten or otherwise) be permeated with this love.

Gentle Reminders…

1. NO PARKING in the fire/bus lane.

2. Absolutely no drop off or pick up at the back of the school

3. Ask your children to take good care of the classrooms in which they meet.

Faith Tidbit

Why Should I Confess My sins to a Priest? Excerpts from the United Stated Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) by Rev. Ian M. Bozant

We live in a world that longs for privacy so confessing one’s sins to another person can seem odd or unnecessary. Also, if God knows everything, it seems sufficient to confess one’s sins and seek forgiveness in private even though the Church teaches that we must confess our mortal sins to a priest. The priest is the agent of Jesus (if you will). He stands in the person of Jesus Christ in Confession. It is Jesus who forgives sins through the person of the priest. It is Jesus who chooses to accomplish God’s plan for salvation and forgiveness through the priest. It is Jesus who gave the power to forgive sins to the Apostles and their successors on that first Easter Sunday night, and when He sent the Holy Spirit to them at Pentecost. He wanted forgiveness to be available to all people. Bringing fourth our hidden faults and sins, verbalizing them to Jesus through the priest, has an essential role in the healing that Jesus wishes to offer us. It is healing to tell our troubles to another and God always wants us live out the gift of our human nature. This truth alone should help us understand why we need to confess to a priest. The priest does not lose his humanity in hearing the confession of penitents and pronounces the words of absolution. The priest represents the Church and functions on behalf of God. The priest can reconcile the penitent with God Himself, with the Church, and within his own self, and with others. The penitent should desire to make amends in some way which is fulfilled in performing the penance given by the priest. Sin has a profound effect on the sinner – in his relationship with God who is the foundation of human life, in his own spirit with the weakening of his will and clouding his intellect, and in his relationship with others. No sin is only individual. Every sin, no matter how great or small, has repercussions on the entire Church and the whole human family. It is not necessarily a bad or inappropriate thing to feel uncomfortable or even ashamed to tell someone else of the wrongs done. Each person feels guilty on some level for having committed sin. This actually helps us prepare for going to receive God’s forgiveness through the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. “There may always be some anxiousness or fear in approaching the confessional, but with great humility, the priest opens the doors to God’s mercy to the contrite penitent, filling the soul with grace and repairing the bond with almighty God and His Church that was damaged by sin.” Why not consider going to confession by next Saturday, the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday? Google Saint Faustina Kowalska. You’ll learn a lot about her and the devotion to Divine Mercy itself. Learn about the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and how to pray it on simple Rosary beads.

Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive

A HOME FOR THE WOUNDED HEART

“Many people, especially today, face painful situations resulting from poverty, disability,

illness and addictions, unemployment, and the loneliness of advanced age. But divorce and

same-sex attraction impact the life of the family in especially intimate ways. Christian

families and networks of families should be sources of mercy, safety, friendship, and

support for those struggling with these issues.” (Preparatory Catechesis for the VIII World Meeting of

Families, Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive, Introduction to Part VIII).

We read in Scripture about how “hard” Jesus’ sayings sometimes were, even for His

followers. Some of His hardest ones concern marriage, sexual desire, and family.

In today’s world men, women, and children can be wounded by the sexual behavior of

others, pornography and other things such as rape, prostitution, human trafficking, divorce, and

fear of commitment in an increasingly anti-marriage culture. Because the family so deeply

shapes its members, such broken relationships can leave bitterly painful injuries.

Jesus is the healer and the Church’s goal is to bring people to an encounter with the

Divine Physician, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit enables us to seek the help we may need to bring

about healing. If conversion is needed it will happen over time; it is not instantaneous or a one

and done moment for life. It is on-going and gradual.

Many of Jesus’ moral/ethical teachings are challenging. They presume a spirit of

discipleship in a person and a sense of community (those who have encountered Jesus and desire

to help others know Him as well). It is the same teaching for all walks of life. They tell us in

essence that we are to be welcoming of all in love and to share the truth with them in the spirit of

charity. When we try to understand others and help them bear their “burdens” within the

Christian community, we help them to feel encouraged and have a sense of belonging. We all

fail in the moral life at times and it’s nice to know that we have the support of others to find our

way to the Divine Physician.

What can your parish do to encourage Catholic friendships?

Please join us all in prayer as we prepare for this wonderful event.

God and Father of us all, in Jesus, your Son and our Savior,

you have made us your sons and daughters in the family of the Church.

May your grace and love help our families in every part of the world

be united to one another in fidelity to the Gospel.

May the example of the Holy Family, with the aid of your Holy Spirit,

guide all families, especially those most troubled,

to be homes of communion and prayer and to always seek your truth and live in your love

Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for us!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _

St. Joseph Parish presents

Vacation Bible Adventure

9 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

Closing Program: June 25 at 7:00PM

Cost: $35 Place: St. Joseph Education Center (School)

Dates: June 22 - June 25, 2015

Time: per child $30 per child EARLY BIRD SPECIAL before April 30, 2015

make check payable to St. Joseph VBA; return to the

PREP office or mail to St. Joseph VBA,

340 Manor Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335

NO REFUNDS, please contact the

PREP office about any payment questions.

Grade Range: Open to children from Kindergarten (entering Sept. 2015) through Grade 6. (Adventurers entering Grade 6 will be counselors-in-training, or CITs)

Teens: Open to any teen entering grade 7 or higher who wants to help

Deadline: May 10, 2015, or earlier if classes are full

Confirmations: You will receive an email confirming your child’s placement

Please call the PREP office if you don’t hear from us.

Questions: Call the PREP office (610-873-8798) or email prep@stjosephrc.org

REGISTRATION FORM PLEASE FILL IN ALL INFORMATION BELOW

Children ENTERING Grades Kindergarten – 6

Name Grade Allergies /Medical Needs September 2015

1. ______________________ ________ __________________________

2. ______________________ ________ __________________________

3. ______________________ ________ __________________________

4. ______________________ ________ __________________________ Teen helper(s) name and grade in Sept. 2015(Please have teens indicate areas of interest on other side):

_________________________ grade____ Allergies, etc._________________________

_________________________ grade____ Allergies, etc._________________________

Parents’ or guardians’ names: ________________________________________

Street address, city, zip: _____________________________________________ please circle one

Home phone: _____ ______________Work / cell phone: _____ __________

Email address: ____________________________________________________

Or email PREP@stjosephrc.org (please type VBA in subject box)

Emergency contact during VBA: __________________________Phone: ____ ___________

Consent for Medical Care: I give permission that, in my absence, my child(ren) may receive emergency medical

care for injuries and all situations that should occur while participating in St. Joseph Vacation Bible Adventure.

Parent or guardian’s signature: ________________________________________ please circle one

Photography consent: I GRANT DO NOT GRANT permission for my child’ s picture to be taken at VBA. (One of the

craft’s is a frame for the picture taken during VBA.)

Parent or guardian’s signature: ________________________________________ Is there anything else we should be aware of ? _______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

ADULT and TEEN volunteer opportunities.

Come Participate in the Adventure

6th graders spend part of their VBA day helping younger adventurers. They will receive a minimum of 9 hours of service…more if they help with VBA set-up. t-up activities.

2014-2015 St Joseph PREP CalendarREVISED 01/28/2015

S M Tu W Th F S S M Tu W Th F S

Aug 1 2NO PREP CLASSES

1 - Mary, Mother of God, Holy Day28 29 30 31 1 2 3 Jan

20143 4 5 6 7 8 9 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2015

10 11 12 13 14 15 1615 - Assumption of the BVM Holy Day

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

24 25 26 27 28 29 3028 & 29 - First Penance

31- CONFIRMATION RETREAT25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Sept 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 1-Labor Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Feb2014

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ALL PREP volunteers meet 18- ASH WEDNESDAY 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 2015

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 PREP classes beginMON PREP classes will neet TUE will be a make-up day if there is a snow day

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

21 22 23 24 25 26 2727 - Parent Sacrament Forum At least one Parent of children

28- CONFIRMATION Masses 10:00

AM & 2:00 PM22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Oct 28 29 30 1 2 3 4receiving Sacraments to attend

begins at 8:00 AM with Mass 2,3 PREP confessions Level 2 -5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mar2014

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 8 - Daylight Savings time BEGINS 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 2015

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 NO PREP classes 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Nov 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 1 - All Saints Day 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 Apr2014

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2- Daylight Savings time ENDS 5 - Easter 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2015

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

16 17 18 19 20 21 2225- First Holy Communion Masses

9:30AM & 12 noon19 20 21 22 23 24 25

23 24 25 26 27 28 2924,25 PREP confession Level 3-6

27 - Thanksgiving NO PREP classes 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 May

Dec 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 2015

20147 8 9 10 11 12 13

8- Immaculate Conception Holy

Day

LAST PREP CLASSES

14- Ascension Thursday10 11 12 13 14 15 16

14 15 16 17 18 19 20Holy Day

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

21 22 23 24 25 26 27NO PREP Classes

25 - Christmas , Holy Day 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

First and Last PREP class

PREP classes meet -Liturgical season: Ordinary Time

PREP classes meet -Liturgical season: Advent or Lent

PREP classes meet -Liturgical season: Christmas or Easter time

NO PREP classes

2014- 2015 Schedule for First Reconciliation and First Holy communion

Date Event

September 3 – September 16 Parents/Guardians receive Sacrament Packets at Back to

School; thereafter packets picked up in PREP OFFICE

September 27 PENANCE, COMMUNION and Confirmation

Parent Forum; 8:00 am- 12:00 noon at least one parent/guardian to attend

Week of November 10 First Penance/First Communion Packets are due to the child’s teacher

Week of January 5 Basic Prayer & Knowledge Checklist due to child’s Teacher

Children celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the First time:

Wednesday, January 28, 7:00 pm Church Group 1 - Children whose last name begins A through K

Thursday, January 29, 7:00 pm Church Group 2 - Children whose last name begins L through Z

Week of March 9 Teachers distribute banner materials and instructions.

Week of March 30 Family banners are due to each child’s teacher.

Wednesday, April 22

3:30 -5:00 p.m., Church

GROUP 1 rehearses in Church.*

Children whose last name begins A through K

Thursday, April 23

3:30 -5:00 p.m., Church

GROUP 2 rehearses in Church.* Children whose last name begins L through Z

Saturday, April 25, 2015 children celebrate First Holy Communion

8:45 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Children gather in Education Center (School), then process over to Church for

Mass – Group 1 – children whose last name begins A~K

11:15 a.m.

12:00 noon Children gather in Education Center (School), then process over to Church for

Mass – Group 2 – children whose last name begins L~Z

Parish May Procession Thursday, May 7 @ 7:00 pm

ALL PARISHONERS INVITED TO ATTEND

First Communicants please attend wearing First Communion Finery.

Please make arrangements early to have your child at practice. There is only ONE

practice for each group. Your child attends the practice which corresponds with the

Mass during which they receive their First Holy Communion. May we suggest that

you pick your child up at school or arrange carpooling so that everyone is on time.

Please also remember to give your child a snack before practice.

At the end of practice, children MUST be picked-up in the Church. Thank you.

*

(over)

Schedule for Reconciliation

Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 7:00 pm -Group 1 Children whose last name begins A through K

Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 7:00 pm - Group 2 Children whose last name begins L through Z

**** Note: The rite of Penance will begin promptly at 7:00p.m. Please arrive early enough to pick up your child’s envelope in the narthex. The children will all sit together and their family and friends will be seated in the remainder of the available pews. There will be NO seating in pews where confessions are being heard. We are fortunate to have 8-10 priests available to hear Confessions. The children will be invited to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation first, and then all family members are encouraged to receive this Sacrament of God’s love and forgiveness as well. Thank you.

Dress Code for First Reconciliation We ask that the children dress respectably for Church and the reception of a sacrament.

Please respect your child’s privacy;

there is NO picture taking, video or audio taping during the sacrament.

Schedule for First Holy Communion Rehearsals: Wednesday, April 22: 3:30 -5:00 p.m., Church

GROUP 1 - Children whose last name begins A through K

Thursday, April 23: 3:30 -5:00 p.m., Church Group 2 – Children whose last name begins L through Z

Saturday, April 25, 2015 children celebrate First Holy Communion

9:30a.m. Mass: GROUP 1 - Children whose last name begins A through K Children should arrive at the Education Center (school) by 8:45 a.m. Parents, family and

friends may go directly to the Church. 12:00 noon Mass: GROUP 2 - Children whose last name begins L through Z

Children should arrive at the Education Center (school) by 11:15 a.m. Parents, family and

friends may go directly to the Church.

Dress Code for First Holy Communion

Boys: dress shirt Girls: white dress tie (any color) white socks or tights suit or sport jacket white dress shoes dress slacks dress shoes optional: veil

NO sneakers, gloves, rosaries, jewelry, purses or flowers, please!

During the Liturgy, there is NO video or picture taking.

Each child will receive a professionally made DVD.