The Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) works with children in public schools from all grades and those in Catholic schools who are preparing for the reception of the Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Children in the sacramental programs participate in a two-year preparation process. Parents attend meetings during sacramental years to learn how to supplement the formal curriculum.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Please contact Maria Speca at mspeca@thegoodshep.org or 717.980.3621 for more information.
REGISTER TODAY!
Use the following link to register for PREP for the 2025-2026 school year: https://forms.gle/ibV4uEgGsoZeadCQ9.
Parents and Teachers
Parents must recognize, first and foremost, that the success of their children’s religious education depends mainly on them. Take an interest in what your children are learning, and pray together as a family. A parish religious education program or parochial school program can affirm and support, but can NEVER replace, religious education in the home. The more effort parents and children combined put into the program, the more benefits they will receive from it.
Children learn to know and love their religious heritage through participating with their parents and other significant adults. Parents catechize their children by their example and by participating in parish programs that serve their children. The purpose of our Parish Religious Education Program is to impart the Christian message and to guide and assist parents within the Catholic tradition.
Safe Environment — Youth Protection Program
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg has adopted a Youth Protection Program as a tool of moral responsibility, pastoral life, and legal discipline. The safety of minors within the Church is a primary pastoral priority for all who participate in youth programs and ministries within the Diocese. Prevention and Education consist of four parts: (1) mandatory background certification and clearances (criminal record checks); (2) educational programs; (3) standards of conduct; and (4) compliance auditing.
All participants of the PREP program who have direct contact with children at Good Shepherd Parish are required to obtain clearances. This includes catechists, aides, and all volunteers (including parents who want to help out in the classroom for special projects or events).
The process for completing and documenting all the required background clearances is published by the Diocesan Office of Youth Protection and available on the Diocesan website at: www.youthprotectionhbg.com.
Please note: It is now State Law and not just Diocesan policy that prospective adult volunteers MUST submit clearances prior to the commencement of service.
If you have questions about obtaining volunteer clearances for Good Shepherd Parish, please contact Kimberly Scanish at kscanish@thegoodshep.org or 717.980.3617.