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3255 Concord Rd

Aston, PA 19014

610-497-3340

- Religious Education
- Prep Registration Form
  
  Prep Handbook
  
  Confirmation Request Form
  
  Reconciliation & Communion Form
  
  Sacraments
  
  Safe Environment
- Growing in Faith children's resource
  
  Growing in Faith July 2021
  
  Growing in Faith June 2021
  
  Growing in Faith April 2021
  
  Growing in Faith March 2021
  
  Growing in Faith Lenten Calendar
  
  Growing in Faith February 2021
  
  Growing in Faith January 2021
  
  Growing in Faith Advent 2020
  
  Growing in Faith December 2020
  
  Growing in Faith November 2020
  
  Growing in Faith October 2020
  
  Growing in Faith September 2020
  
  Growing in Faith August 2020
  
  Growing in Faith July 2020
  
  Growing in Faith June 2020
- PREP Classes in person and online For 2021-2022
  
  Families will have three options for PREP classes this year. Wednesday in person classes 4:00 until 5:30 and 6:00 until 7:30, Family Catechesis meeting once a month (with weekly assessments) and online sessions (using a digital portfolio completing information and formation projects and 4 Zoom meetings). Wednesday PREP classes will begin September 8th, Family Catechesis September 19th and online September 5th.
  
  We will continue to grow in the Faith using Gospel Weeklies Program.
  We are blessed to be able to gather again with prayer services and opportunities for Reconciliation and service projects.
  
  Faith is a journey and the best journeys have companions. Your family and parish community are the best companions for this journey. Celebrate God's love through Mass and times of pray as a family and as a community. The more time we spend getting to know God as a family, the closer we will be to Him and the more peace filled our lives will be.
  
  If you have any questions, please contact the Director of Religious Education, Ms. Kellianne Miley at 610-497-3340 or email astonstjdre@gmail.com
- What is PREP?
  
  PREP stands for Parish Religious Education Program. Our goal is to assist parents with their mission to pass on the Catholic faith to their children.
  
  PREP
  
  Through PREP classes, children learn about their Catholic faith. Children begin their formal instruction in Level 1 (first grade) and continue for six more years. Their weekly lessons are 1.5 hours in length with curriculum guidelines. Textbooks and support materials are all approved through the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, our Pastor, and our Director of Religious Education (DRE). For more information, please contact the Director of Religious Education.
  
  To register, please complete the registration form to the left.
  
  Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation
  
  Sacramental Preparation is another major PREP program. Preparation for Reconciliation & First Communion (Level 2) and Confirmation (Level 7) are completed through classroom instruction and home preparations, projects, and study. Though this classroom education is essential, parents are the first and best models of Christian witnesses for their children. Their practices of the faith are the best example of a lived faith and best method of sacrament preparation.
  
  First Communion/Eucharist
  
  The Eucharist is the heart and the summit of the Church’s life, for in it Christ associates his Church and all her members with his sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered once for all on the cross to his Father; by this sacrifice He pours out the graces of salvation on His Body which is the Church. (CCC 1407)
  Children receive First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in the second grade.
  To receive First Communion at our parish, parish policy requires that each child be in preparation for two years, enrolled at our parish school, attend the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP), or be home-schooled for their academic education.
  
  Confirmation
  
  By the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. They are true witnesses of Christ who spread and defend the faith by word and deed (CCC1285).
  
  As fully initiated members of the Church, those receiving Confirmation are expected to continue to deepen their relationship with Christ, to continue to serve His Church, and to lead others to Jesus Christ. Confirmed individuals are not “graduating” from religious education but instead are “graduating” into adulthood in the church. Confirmation is the beginning of a new journey as active members of the parish community, which includes serving the parish and continuing to grow in the faith.
  
  Beginning in 2019, parish policy requires that individuals be in at least seventh grade and have two years of immediate preparation in the faith before receiving Confirmation. Students who choose to be candidates for Confirmation must be enrolled at our Parish School, attend the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP), or be home-schooled for their academic education. For information about Confirmation sponsor guidelines, please see the Godparents/Sponsors information under Grow Your Faith.
  
  Catechists Needed!
  
  We invite members of our parish community to join in the important work of educating our children. We are looking for teachers, teacher’s aides, and various other volunteer positions. If you are interested in being a Catechist, please contact the Director of Religious Education.
- Liturgy of the Word for Children
  
  DURING COVID-19
  To help children more fully participate in the Mass, the Liturgy of the Word for Children is on our Facebook page for viewing on Sunday or whenever convenient for the family.
  
  AFTER COVID-19
  At the gospel during the 9:30AM Mass children are brought up to the altar and the priests offers them a blessing and they leave as a group to the lower church.
  Children four years of age through nine years old are welcome to participate. After the opening prayer at Mass, a team of volunteers brings the children into the Chapel for their own Liturgy of the Word. The Scriptures are read from an approved text especially for children. The Gospel reflection and discussion helps them to understand what God is saying and how to live the message. The children profess their faith and offer prayers from their hearts. Children then return to the main church to celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist.