St. Maria Goretti Parish

Welcome to the PREP section of the St. Maria Goretti Parish website. Our Religious Education Office is where all Parish children come together in reception of the Sacraments. That includes children who attend our Religious Education classes, home school children, private school children and parish school children. We are here to supplement your role as the primary educators of your children about God. All families must be registered with the parish for their children to participate in any of our programs. Our programs depend on volunteer Catechists. Tuition fees are waived for those families. Below is a brief description of our PREP programs. Always feel free to call the Religious Education office with any questions.

Religious Education Classes
Classes are offered during two sessions on Monday and Tuesday evenings for students who attend public schools and private, non-Catholic schools rounding out their education with a religious component. Classes are offered for grades 1 through 7 on a weekly basis September through April. A teen class for grades 8 through 12 is offered on one Tuesday of each month September through April. A registration form and fee is required for all religious education classes.

Sacrament Program
Parish children in second grade study to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Retreat days are provided for both sacraments. First Reconciliation is in the winter time and First Communion Masses are held on a chosen Saturday after Easter. Full schedules are provided at the parent meeting held in the fall. Parish children in grade 7 study to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. The time of year varies depending on notification from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Schedules are distributed at the fall meeting along with all of the requirements to receive the sacrament.

Little Church School
Little Church School is our Parish Pre-School Religious Education Program. Classes are offered each Sunday from September through April during the 9:30 Mass. Children age 3, 4 and 5 learn about our faith in an age appropriate learning environment. A registration form and fee is required.

Home School
Our Home School Program provides support to parents who wish to teach the formal Religious education of their children at home. Unless permission is granted otherwise parents use the same text books as our Religious Ed students and are required to provide the office with an update twice a year on each student's progress. A registration form is required with payment of fees.

Children's Liturgy of the Word
Children's Liturgy of the Word is held on Sunday mornings during the 9:30 and 11:30 Mass during the school year and just the 9:30 Mass during July and August. Prior to the Liturgy of the Word children in kindergarten through grade 4 are invited to the chapel to hear the Sunday readings and Gospel proclaimed in their language. A homily is given to explain how the message applies to their young lives. No registration or fee applies to participate.

Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is a fun week for children to learn about God and their faith and is generally held here in our parish for one week during June or July. The coordinating and success of our VBS program depends on a multitude of adult volunteers whose children will attend for free. Information and registration forms are usually distributed in early spring.