WELCOME TO SAINT MARTHA PREP
(Parish Religious Education Program)
Saint Martha Parish Religious Education Program consists of all aspects of Faith Formation, whether for adults or children.
For our children who do not attend Catholic schools we have our PREP program. For older children we have CHIP (Children’s Initiation Program) and for adults we have RCIA. So, whether you have been Baptized Christian and wish to come into full communion with the Catholic Church by receiving Sacraments, Baptized Catholic but have not received any other Sacraments, or have never been Baptized at all, the Parish Religious Education Program can bring you home.
PREP/CCD
“Parents are the first and most important educators of their children” (Pope John Paul II) They have the responsibility to train their children in the practice of their faith. We expect that all children in our Parish Religious Education Program (PREP), all homeschooled children, school children, and those in our CHIP program attend Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation. Parents who do not bring their children to Mass may be jeopardizing the ability for their children to receive the Sacraments.
Registration for 2025-2026 school year is now open.
HOW TO REGISTER: You can simply call me and we’ll set up a date/time for you to come in and I’ll register you right in the office. I am available (with advance notice) days or evenings. Contact the rectory at 215.632.3720 or my desk at 215.668.8332. When registering your child please keep in mind that children NOT Baptized at Saint Martha Church must present a Baptismal Certificate and all children must complete the registration form. Click here to download and print the registration form.
WHAT’S HAPP’NIN?
Here is some information you’ll need to know:
PREP PARENTS – TRADITIONAL (in the classroom)
– There is a meeting on Sunday August 24, 2025 after the 10:am service in the Parish Chapel. Please do not miss this or cancel out at the last minute.
– All registration must be completed before your child can be admitted into class. No child can be sent to a classroom without having been registered. No child will be registered on the first day of class. Please re-read that last sentence.
– All fees are due at the time of registration. If this is a problem, please speak with me and we will make payment arrangements. Nothing is impossible.
– Four absences are the most allowed for your child without action. PREP is just one day/week and asking your child to be present is not unreasonable.
HOMESCHOOL PARENTS
– Please complete one unit/week with your child and have it submitted.
– At year’s end, those who did not complete the the book will be called in for a final exam which will determine the child’s status for the following year.
HOMESCHOOL SCHEDULE
– 2nd Grade: Must physically attend class from January 4 through and including March 1
– 3rd Grade: Must physically attend class from January 4 through April 25
– 6th Grade: Must physically attend class from January 4 through the end of the year
– 7th Grade: Must physically attend class from September 7 (1st class) through Confirmation
– Homeschoolers should also come to St. Martha on the following dates: September 7 2025, December 7 2025, and February 22 2026. On September 7 they should arrive for the 8:am Mass and stay afterwards for Confessions, then proceed to their classrooms. (3rd grade and above).
FEES Registration is:
$125/child (one child only)
$100/each child (two children)
$90/each child (three or more children)
3rd graders should add $60 to their fee.
7th graders should add $100 to their fee.
About our PREP Program: The PREP Program of Saint Martha Parish is designed to teach your child(ren) about the Catholic Faith and prepares them for the reception of their Sacraments: First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Our knowledgeable catechists volunteer their services so that your child may become more fully incorporated into the Catholic Church as an informed and practicing Catholic.
On this website we go into some guidelines for you and your child. You will read, for example, that we fully expect you to become involved in your child’s experience here at St. Martha Parish. Our catechists see your children only once a week. You see them every day. So we expect you to check their book bags for important communications from their teacher, for their homework assignments and for their study guidelines. We expect you to make sure your child completes his/her assignments and comes to class fully prepared. We expect that you will make sure they are ready to take the tests that will be given. Most importantly, however, we expect that you will take an active role in teaching your child by your example. Your child, in order to to receive the sacraments, must attend Mass. Let us say this again, your child MUST attend Mass in order to receive the Sacraments. So we assume that you will attend Mass every Sunday with your child. (The 8:00 Mass is recommended). We also assume that you will come to Reconciliation with your child on a regular basis. Children who are not brought to Mass every Sunday may not be eligible to receive Sacraments.
Also on this website, you’ll see our attendance policies, our promotion policies, and our policies on holding back a child, or recommending further study before a Sacrament is administered.
So, you see, we here at St. Martha are not the only ones who teach and work with your children. We do what we do in partnership with you. Together, we can make a difference in your child’s life. We cannot do it without your help, your suggestions, and your prayerful support.
If ever you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions please feel free to write me at cmom63@gmail.com or call 267.668.8832. You can always catch me on any given Sunday to speak face to face. I always enjoy talking with the parents of our children. I, and all of us associated with St. Martha PREP look forward to working with you in this up and coming year and for the years to come.
Carmen Rodriguez, Religious Education
267.668.8332 (office)
A Certificate of Baptism is required if your child was not Baptized at St. Martha Parish. Please Note: Children must be registered prior to the first day of classes. No child will be admitted to class without being registered.
Registration Fees are as follows:
Sacramental fees will be collected at the time of registration. For Holy Communion and Confirmation PREP, a second book is given at no charge.
Sacramental fees include photographer, Mass book, scapular, rosary, pin, and gown(Confirmation only).
Discounted Fees
2 Children: Book is free for each child (Fee is $100/child)
3 Children or more: Book is free for each child and registration fee is only $90/child
Your child’s teachers are:
K: Ms. Miranda Castle (Ms. Miranda)
1st Grade: Mrs. Donna Hudson-MacGregor (Ms. Donna)
2nd Grade: Mrs. Carmen Rodriguez (Ms. Carmen)
3rd Grade: Mrs. Annette Chango (Ms. Annette)
4th Grade: Mrs. Bernadette Hudson (Ms. Bernadette)
5th Grade: Mrs. Cheri Mcenamin (Ms. Cheri)
6th Grade: Mrs. Michelle Whitely (Ms. Michelle)
7th Grade: TBA
DATES TO REMEMBER
PREP runs from September 7,2025 to May 3,2026. PREP is from 8AM-9:45AM. ALL PREP Sundays start with 8AM Mass. If there is no PREP on a Sunday during the PREP year, please make sure to attend any of the Masses offered. Saturdays 4PM and Sundays 8AM, 10AM, and 12PM.
08.24.25 Parent Meeting in School Chapel Room 11:00 AM
09.07.25 First PREP Class Starts with 8am Mass 8:00AM
10.05.25 Confirmation Sponsor Practice TBA In Church
10.10.25 Confirmation Retreat Day 8:00 – 2:00
10.11.25 Confirmation Day 4:00 PM Mass
11.30.25 No Class (Thanksgiving Weekend) Please attend any Mass
12.07.25 PREP Confessions for grades 3 and up 9.00AM
12.28.25 No Class (Christmas/New Year Break) Please attend any Mass
01.25.26 Catholic Schools Week No PREP Please attend any Mass
02.15.26 Night of Reflection with parents 7:00PM Church
03.01.26 Reconciliation Day 2:00PM
03.29.26 Palm Sunday PREP Confessions for grades 3-7 9:00AM
04.05.26 Easter Sunday No PREP Please attend any Mass
04.24.26 First Holy Communion Retreat Day 8:00 – 2:00
04.25.26 First Holy Communion Day 11:00AM
05.03.26 Last Class for PREP
HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM
Saint Martha Religious Education Department is proud to offer the option of Home Schooling to our parents. Contact Carmen Rodriguez at 215.668.8332 for details.
Home schooling your child does NOT excuse him/her from attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. Your child must also meet with Carmen Rodriguez three (3) times/year for an assessment. We usually make those meetings on the days when we have PREP Confessions.
Grades 2,3,6 must physically attend classes when the teacher begins their Sacramental preparations. For grades 3 and 6, this would be sometime during the second half of the year. For grade 2, it would be sometime during the first half of the year. Grade 7 must physically attend from the first day of class through one week after being Confirmed. (See schedule above).
ALL homebased children must attend three meetings with Carmen Rodriguez during the year.
Home Catechized children are required to submit end of unit tests to Mrs. Rodriguez. If a child lags behind or it is deemed he/she is not grasping the knowledge of our faith as a child in his/her grade level should, the option of Home Based Catechesis will be withdrawn.