St Joseph PREP Registration

PREP REGISTRATION for 2026-2027 PREP year

PREP classes begin for the 2026-2027 PREP year on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Sunday - Family Catechesis, Once a Month 8:30-10:20am
Monday - Weekly PREP 5:10-6:35 pm
Tuesday - Weekly PREP 6:10-7:35 pm 

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PLEASE note:

Family Catechesis: LEVEL 1 , 3, 4, 5, 6  on Sundays 

Weekly Classes on Mondays: Kindergarten through Level 7

Weekly Classes on Tuesdays: Levels 1 through Level 7

• 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, , 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 faith formation 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 level 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 on Tuesday evenings. Let us know of your needs so we can work together on a good resolution for everyone.

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REGISTRATION

Families new to PREP can register at any time. Please contact us with questions.

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 contact the PREP Office with any concerns or questions, [email protected] or 610-873-8798.

All classes involve at home work. Sunday classes require the family, under the catechist's guidance, to instruct the students on the weeks they are not in class.

LEVEL 7 (CONFIRMATION) IS OFFERED weekly Monday 5:10-6:35 PM and Tuesday 6:10-7:35 PM ONLY.

Level 7 students who attend Camp Caritas do not attend PREP but will other responsibilities throughout the year. Please see forms handed out during parents' meeting for this information or reach out to [email protected].

Please contact the PREP Office with any concerns or questions.

VOLUNTEERS

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.

 2026-2027 PREP Calendar

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

Fees for the 2026-2027 PREP year:

1 child $280.00;  2 children $490.00; 3 or more children $650.00
Volunteer rates: $180.00 for one child; $340.00 for two children; $450.00 for three or more children

Click here to register for weekly

This opportunity is a beautiful way for families to grow together in faith, deepen their understanding of the teachings of the Church, and more fully live out their call as the "domestic church."  We are truly looking forward to walking alongside you in this journey of faith formation in the coming year. Students and one parent MUST attend every monthly session. Parents are responsible to do the assigned chapters weekly with their child(ren) during the remainder of the month.

Once your registration has been received and reviewed, you will receive a follow-up email from the PREP Office.  This email will include your payment link as well as the family catechesis agreement/contract that will need to be signed in order to finalize enrollment.

We are so excited for all that God has in store for our parish families through this program.  Thank you for your continued commitment to passing on the gift of faith to your children.

Family Catechesis Handbook
Family Catechesis One Page Overview
Family Catechesis Contract
Payment Link