St. Margaret Parish
208 N. Narberth Avenue
Narberth, PA 19072
Parish Religious Education Office
610-664-3770 ext. 22
PREP@smsnarberth.com
September 2013
Dear Parents:
Welcome to another school year of religious education for your children. As
parents, you are the first and most influential teachers of your children in the faith.
Faith is that beautiful, intangible thing that we can neither see nor touch, yet we
can witness it through actions and hear it through words. Faith is that hope in
things yet to come. As Catholics, we have great faith and we rely on it whenever
we can. You are the primary catechist in your child’s life of faith. We are here
merely to supplement the faith education you are giving your child at home.
With the support of the Holy Spirit and the parish, we, as catechists, pray to
do our best in leading your children to a closer relationship with God. We strive
not only to teach your children the basic tenets and traditions of the Catholic faith,
but we want your children to get excited about meeting Jesus in the sacraments and
every person with whom they come in contact. We want your children to know and
believe that they are loved. Our goal is for every student to develop a real, loving,
and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Please keep us in your prayers.
Please use this handbook as a helpful reference throughout the year. Should
you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call the PREP Office
at (610) 664-3770 ext. 22 or e-mail me at PREP@smsnarberth.com.
Thanks and God bless you!
Mrs. Mary Anne J. Monroe, M.A.
Coordinator of Religious Education
St. Margaret Parish
208 N. Narberth Avenue
Narberth, PA 19072
2013-2014
PARISH ADMINISTRATION
Pastor:
Rev. Robert J. Chapman
Resident Priest:
Rev. Steven J. Harris, JCD, M.A., MDiv.
Parish Service Director:
Sr. Anne Marie Stegmaier, I.H.M.
School Principal:
Sr. Corinne Ritchie, R.S.M.
Coordinator of Religious Education: Mary Anne J. Monroe, M.A.
Business Manager:
Jane Bortner
Parish Secretary:
Teresa Myers
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE
Address:
St. Margaret Church Rectory
208 N. Narberth Avenue
Narberth, PA 19072
Phone:
610-664-3770 ext. 22
610-664-3770
610-664-5001
PREP@smsnarberth.com
PREP Office
Rectory
Fax
PARISH MISSION STATEMENT
We, the people of St. Margaret Parish, baptized into the life of Christ and His Church,
answer our baptismal call to grow as a community of faith. We commit ourselves to help one
another to:
PARTICIPATE joyfully in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Church, especially through
the celebration of the Eucharist;
LIVE our faith by imitating Jesus Christ in our relationships with Christians and non-Christians
within and beyond our parish boundaries;
TEACH the message of Jesus to people of all ages through evangelization and education based
on the Scripture and the on-going Tradition of our Church;
USE our talents and gifts of faith to promote the dignity of life, to work for economic and social
justice for all, and to speak out against all forms of prejudice and oppression.
PRAY for the faithful departed of our parish whose faith has built and sustained the faith we now
enjoy.
BECOME a loving, forgiving, friendly and welcoming community.
We pray to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit through the intercession of Mary our Mother and our
patroness, St. Margaret of Antioch, to guide us as we move forward in our mission.
PREP CATECHISTS 2013-2014
St. Margaret Parish and our Catechetical staff take our commitment to the religious education of
the children seriously. The Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) has been blessed over
the years with dedicated volunteers. Our catechists not only give of themselves during class time
but they also take hours to prepare for class, attend meetings and workshops, and work towards
certification or continuing education through classes offered by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 7
CRE
Dr. Katherine Berg (Dr. Dale Berg, aide)
Mrs. Julia O’Donnell and Mrs. Tracy Coyle (Kathy Kazeniac, aide)
Mrs. Patricia McGrath (Mrs. Maria Cengel, aide)
Miss Beth Randall (Mrs. Moira Messick and Mr. Don Ringe, aides)
Mr. Robert Ritzco
Mr. Andrew O’Shea (Mrs. Nancy Henderson, aide)
Miss Noel Libert (Mrs. Christine Buhn, aide)
Mrs. Mary Anne Monroe, M.A.
SUNDAY PRESCHOOL
All 3-6 year olds are invited to participate in our Sunday Preschool Program which runs from
Oct. 6, 2013 - May 18, 2014. Young children will learn about Jesus on Sunday mornings
between 10 – 11 AM while their parents attend the 10:00 AM Mass. Sessions are held in the St.
Margaret School cafeteria. Classes feature faith-based, age-appropriate discussions on the
Sunday scriptures. Children are guided by loving and experienced Catechists who incorporate
stories, songs, crafts, and other activities in their morning sessions. Participation in this program
is not required for future attendance in our PREP. The Sunday Preschool Program is simply a
wonderful opportunity for young children to learn about our faith and God’s love for them.
The annual fee for our Sunday preschool program is $20, payable to St. Margaret Church.
Our Sunday preschool catechists are:
Pam Cloud
Heather Hendrickson
Marne Quillinan
Mary Anne Monroe
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD (CLOW)
The Children’s Liturgy of the Word (or CLOW) is a scripture-based program that occurs within
the context of the Sunday 10:00 AM Mass. All children who have not yet received First
Communion are invited to participate. Before the Liturgy of the Word begins, the Presider will
invite all children present to join an adult moderator in the sanctuary for a blessing, after which
they will all proceed downstairs to the Antioch Annex for a brief reading and discussion of the
Sunday scriptures.
There is no fee associated with this program, and children are welcome to participate as often as
they would like.
Our Sunday CLOW catechists are:
Diana Aspesi
Keith and Maria Cengel
Kathy Davis
Colleen Doyle
Maureen Gonzales
Patricia McGrath
Susan Ryan
NON-PARISH STUDENTS
Children must be registered parishioners of St. Margaret Parish in order to participate in our
PREP. Children who are not members of St. Margaret Parish may enroll in our PREP only after
receiving written permission from their pastor and our Religious Education Office. Diocesan
policy states that children should celebrate all sacraments in the parish where their family is
registered. Special permission to celebrate the sacraments at St. Margaret must be obtained from
the family’s pastor.
COURT ORDERS
Any Court Order concerning visitation rights should be brought to the attention of the
Coordinator of Religious Education. A copy should be on file in the Religious Education Office.
If you do not have a Court Order, we cannot prevent a non-custodial parent from seeing the child
or picking the child up during PREP.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
If your child has special needs due to medical problems or learning disabilities, please inform the
Coordinator of Religious Education. Every effort will be made to meet their needs.
PREP FEES
St. Margaret Parish is committed to offering quality religious education to the parish children
who do not attend Catholic school. A reasonable fee is charged in order to defray the direct costs
associated with running the program: student and catechist textbooks, student and catechist
supplies and resources, catechist training, and administrative expenses. It is the goal of the
parish to keep the fee at a moderate rate. Increases to the fee are considered annually by the
Parish Finance Council with regard to both the annual costs of the program and the total parish
financial position.
The program fees for 2013-2014 are:
1 child
2 children
3 or more children
Supporting Parishioners
$ 100
$ 175
$250
Non-supporting parishioners:
$200
$350
$400
Late Fee (for registrations received after June 30th)
$25
Additional fee for First Penance/First Communion
$25
Additional fee for Confirmation
$50
A separate mailing for the sacramental fees will be sent during sacramental preparation time.
If a financial emergency arises which prevents payment of fees, please call the PREP office or
contact the Parish Business Manager, Mrs. Jane Bortner. No child will be denied admission to
the program because of financial difficulties. We simply ask that you contact us and make your
situation known.
ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance at PREP is expected. Growing in the knowledge and love of God is a lifelong process. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia requires that religious education students spend
at least 30 hours in class each year. Please report all absences to the Religious Education Office
by calling 610-664-3770 ext. 22 before Sunday morning. Parents of students with frequent
absences will be contacted by our office. If a child has more than three unexcused absences and
has not consulted with his/her catechist for make-up work, the child will not be promoted to the
next level.
ARRIVAL, ASSEMBLY AND DISMISSAL
Classes for Grades 1-7 are held in the St. Margaret School from 8:30-9:45 AM on Sundays
between Labor Day and Memorial Day. Students should enter the building through the Cafeteria
doors and are to be seated at their assigned table (by grade) by 8:30 AM.
We spend 10-15 minutes in prayer together before the children are escorted to their classrooms
by the teachers. Each class will have a weekly opportunity to lead the Assembly in prayer,
petition and basic prayers like the Our Father/Hail Mary/Glory Be/Act of Contrition. Our
Gathering Prayer Service is an important element in our time together each week and parents are
always welcome to join us. If a child regularly misses the Assembly, he/she misses an ongoing
experience in faith formation and communal prayer.
SAFETY
The safety of your children is very important to us. For the security of our students and staff, the
cafeteria doors (by the parking lot) will be locked at 8:40 AM following our Gathering Prayer
Service. The cafeteria doors will be re-opened at 9:40 AM in time for dismissal. Hall monitors
(parent volunteers) will be stationed at the 1st and 2nd floors of the school as well as in the
cafeteria to ensure that no one leaves or enters the building during class hours. Although no one
may enter the building after 8:40 AM, all those inside the building are able to exit safely and
swiftly by simply pushing the doors out.
Teachers will escort students back to the cafeteria for pick-up. All children will be dismissed
through the cafeteria promptly at 9:45 AM. 1st, 2nd and 3rd Graders must be met by a parent or
guardian. They will not be permitted to leave the building alone. Please inform the CRE or your
child’s teacher if someone other than a parent will be picking up your child.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
We encourage parent participation at many levels. Not only do the children feel excited when
they see their parents participate, but you will feel personal gratification and joy when you
participate in our program. Opportunities for involvement in PREP include, but are not limited
to:
PREP Catechist
Substitute Catechist
Teacher’s Aide
Special Education Assistant
Hall Monitor
Retreat Moderator
Usher
Sunday Preschool Catechist
DISCIPLINE POLICY
We expect all students to comply with the catechist’s directives in the classroom and to follow
all PREP policies. Students must be respectful, courteous and attentive to catechists and staff.
They are expected to show a Christian attitude toward one another. Therefore, fighting, abusive
language, roughness, harassing or any similar conduct will not be tolerated. Students may not
leave the school building once they arrive for class. Serious or consistent violations of PREP
policies, such as disrespect, disrupting the class, damaging school or parish property, smoking or
use of drugs or alcohol will result in disciplinary action. Chewing gum, drinking or eating in the
classrooms is not permitted at any time.
Teachers will work with students who are uncooperative as much as possible. Teachers may
contact the parents by note or by phone. If continuous unacceptable behavior occurs, a discipline
notice will be mailed home. Parents are asked to sign and return the form, showing that you
have read and taken note of the matter. A second discipline notice automatically sets up a
meeting of parent and child with the Coordinator or Religious Education and the teacher
involved.
Dismissal from the program may result in cases where the parent fails to respond to the notices
or if the behavior does not improve.
DRESS CODE
There is no specific dress code for PREP. Students are expected to come to class neat and clean.
Appearance is conducive to learning. If children are attending church, a sacramental celebration,
liturgy, or prayer service after PREP, then they should dress appropriately for church.
USE OF BATHROOMS
Children are encouraged to use the bathrooms before they come to class or during gathering time
in the cafeteria. Use of the facilities during class takes important time away from instruction.
Also, children should never be walking in the halls unattended.
ILLNESS AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
If a student is too sick to attend class, the student should remain at home. A fever, rash,
vomiting, diarrhea, upper respiratory infection, or physical injury is cause enough for a child to
remain at home. If a student becomes sick or injured during class, the student should notify the
teacher and report to Mrs. Monroe, CRE. Each teacher is supplied with non-latex gloves to
safely assist ill or injured students. A First Aid Kit and basic supplies are also available. The
parent will be notified by phone if a student has to be picked up because of illness or injury. The
parent should come to the school cafeteria where the student will be waiting.
TEXTBOOKS
The textbook series we use is called “We Believe” by Sadlier Publishers. The series is approved
by the Archdiocesan Office of Religious Education and is commonly used by Catholic schools.
Religion workbooks are used in the classroom and are generally not sent home until the end of
the year. The textbooks have perforated pages which make it possible for the teachers to send
assigned work home. When students bring their books home then forget to return to class with
them, instruction suffers. Homework will be limited to take-home sheets distributed by the
teacher. The student’s name must be marked clearly on the workbook. If a book is lost, a new
book must be purchased.
COMMUNICATION
PREP schedules/events are listed on an annual PREP Calendar. Additional PREP news will also
be available through the weekly church bulletin. Sacramental information for children in 2nd ,
6th, and 7th grades are included in the annual PREP calendar, so please review them periodically.
Individual teachers may send home papers with students every week. Information regarding
Sacrament Preparation will be sent electronically to families involved. A weekly newsletter is
also sent through the PREP Office. Parents are encouraged to contact the teachers or the PREP
office with their concerns at any time, 610-664-3770 ext. 22 or PREP@smsnarberth.com.
PARISH PROGRAMS
CYO
As parishioners of St. Margaret Parish, students who are enrolled in PREP
and attend regularly may participate in the Catholic Youth Organization’s athletic
program.
Altar Servers
We are always in need of altar servers. Children who have completed 5th grade
may volunteer as altar servers and will receive special training. Training and
policy information regarding altar service is provided by Sr. Anne Marie, our
Parish Service Director. To volunteer as an altar server, please call Sr. Anne
Marie at (610) 664-3770 ext. 16.
Sunday Offering Envelopes
Envelopes for families are available at the back of Church. Please encourage your
child to be faithful in using them and to develop the habit of contributing to the
Church. If you would like to practice stewardship by using parish envelopes,
please call Teresa Myers at the front office at (610) 664-3770 ext. 10.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Students are given the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation
during the usual parish Saturday hour from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. Families are
encouraged to make use of the sacrament on a regular basis. Our priests are
available to celebrate the sacrament each Saturday from 4:00 to 5:00 PM or any
day by appointment.
SACRAMENTAL POLICIES
Primary to sacramental preparation is faithful attendance at Sunday or Saturday evening liturgy.
A certain level of instruction does not always mean that a child is ready to receive a sacrament.
If there is any doubt about a child’s readiness or proper disposition for a sacrament, a
consultation with the CRE or Pastor might be necessary. Only children properly baptized into
the Catholic Church may receive the sacraments of Penance, Holy Communion, or Confirmation.
Only registered parishioners of St. Margaret Parish may receive their first sacraments here.
Children registered elsewhere must submit written permission from their Pastor if they would
like to receive sacraments at St. Margaret. To encourage a sense of community among the
children enrolled in each of the sacramental programs, the entire class comes together for prayer
experiences and a day of retreat.
BAPTISM
If your child was not baptized at St. Margaret Church, you must submit a copy of your child’s
Baptismal Certificate at the time of registration. If your child has not been baptized, please
notify the Coordinator of Religious Education for special instruction. If your child was baptized
in a church of another denomination (not a Catholic Church), please supply a copy of the
certificate of this baptism. The initiation of children who have not received the sacraments at the
usual age can be involved in a special program. Two consecutive years of instruction are
required for the reception of any sacrament.
PENANCE
Students begin preparation for the Sacrament of Penance in 2nd Grade. The Sacrament is usually
celebrated in the month of February or on the Saturdays in Lent. Please help your child develop
a healthy attitude about the sacrament by word and example. An Act of Contrition must be
memorized. Attendance at the First Penance Parent Meeting is required of at least one parent
per family.
HOLY COMMUNION
Students begin preparation for the Sacrament of the Eucharist in 2nd Grade. In November, a
special Presentation of the Candidates will take place during a Saturday or Sunday Mass. The
sacrament is celebrated during the Easter season in the spring of their 2nd Grade. Your own
reverence for and use of the sacrament can go a long way in positively influencing your child’s
preparation. Holy Eucharist marks our full participation with the worshiping community at the
table of the Lord. Attendance at the First Communion Parent Meeting is required of at least one
parent from each family.
CONFIRMATION
Students begin their preparation for Confirmation in their 6th grade. (They are also presented to
the church community in their 6th Grade.) The Sacrament is celebrated in the fall of their 7th
Grade. The date for Confirmation varies each year, depending on the schedule of the bishop.
Students must demonstrate an appreciation and desire for the sacrament. They are required to
have received consistent religious education since the celebration of their First Communion.
Candidates for Confirmation are expected to participate in all activities of the preparation
process which include prayer, study and community service. Attendance at the Confirmation
Parent Night meeting is required of at least one parent per family.
Formal religious instruction does not end with Confirmation. In fact, confirmed members of the
parish need to learn how to put the gift they have received into action. Therefore, confirmed
students are required to attend the Parish Continuing Faith Formation (CFF) program for 7th and
8th graders. The CFF occurs every first Friday of the months following Confirmation from 6:308:30 PM in the Antioch Annex. This program features guest speakers, movies and discussion,
prayers and reflection, activities, community service and dinner.
Any questions about any of our sacramental programs should be directed to Mrs. Monroe, CRE
at the PREP office.
St. Margaret Church, Narberth, PA
Parish Religious Education Program
PREP HANDBOOK
2013-2014