PREP Registrations for 2025-2026 

PREP begins on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 from 5:15-6:30. Classes are held in the for Hall. Confirmation candidates will meet on Sunday, Sept. 7 from 8:45-9:50 in the hall

Paper copies of the registration form can be picked up on the table in the church Narthex.  One packet covers an entire family.  Please return your child(ren)’s registration form and payment to the DRE in the church office. 

The registration packet for Levels 1-6 can be downloaded by clicking on here.  The coversheet that contains information about dates, events dates, cost scenarios, and discounts if people are PREP volunteers can be viewed here.

Level 7 forms for Confirmation were distributed at the Confirmation Parent Meeting on May 18, 2025.  If you did not attend this meeting you are encouraged to make an appointment with Mrs. Linda Riofski by calling 610-268-0296 or emailing dre@saintgabrielparish.org to get these papers for your middle schooler.  You should begin the paperwork immediately and should not wait until September.

Parish Giving has created two links that take parents to “Tuition” and “Candidate Fee” payment options, if you prefer electronic payments instead of paying by cash or check.  Click here to get to Parish Giving’s Tuition link and here for the Level 3 and 7 Candidate Fee.

 

KidTalk

PARENTS and CATECHISTS, feel free to look at the KidTalks lessons that will be taught in March 2026.  Both in-person PREP and homeschool students will participate in these required lessons.

 

Safe Environment Lessons

  • Safety Environment materials and resources are on our website.
  • Implementation of the KidTalk lessons is strongly recommended for the second semester to allow time for catechists to build trust and rapport with students.
  • ALL LESSONS SHOULD PRESENTED AND COMPLETED BY THE END OF MARCH TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO COLLECT THE NECESSARY DATA FOR THE ANNUAL PREP REPORT DUE IN APRIL!
  • ALL programs including Virtual, Home-Based Catechesis and Family Catechesis are required to teach the lessons.
  • All families should be provided with a link to review the lessons on our website.
  • For In-Person Instruction:
    • Communicate the date of lesson to parents in advance with the option to opt-out; see the Guidelines for Religious Education for sample letter which could be attached to your email.
    • Opt-out Letters for in-person instruction are posted HERE for parents/guardians to sign and submit (Spanish translation)
    • IMPORTANT CHANGE: Opt-out Letters no longer need to be submitted with your annual PREP report but should be maintained on file at the parish.
  • For Home-Based and/or Family Catechesis:
    • The Acknowledgement/Opt-Out Form provided by the Office for Child and Youth Protection should be posted or linked on your website or emailed to parents.  If you choose to create your own electronic version (e.g., using Google Forms) it must capture all the data on the Acknowledgement/Opt-Out Form linked above for reporting purposes. (Spanish translation)
    • DREs should communicate the due date for submission of these forms, send reminders to parents, and follow up with families that have not submitted them by the due date to ensure that the filing of the annual report in April is not delayed.

The safety and well-being of our students is always a top priority in our programs at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother and in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  If you have any questions, please do not hessite to reach out to our office or Leslie Davila, Director for the Office for Child and Youth Protection. 

 

Sensory-Friendly Mass

Third Sundays | 8:00 am | St. Gabriel Church
 
Starting with Easter Mass, the Sensory-Friendly Mass will be held at 8:00 am.
 
Our parish was featured in an article by CatholicPhilly about the Mass option!
 
All are welcome to this regularly scheduled Mass. A special invitation is extended to any person with sensory issues and their families.  This Mass will include: no music, dimmer lighting, and a condensed version of that week’s Homily.  Families are encouraged to bring materials that can assist with comfort during the liturgy: noise cancelling headphones, wiggle seats, fidgets, etc. Please contact the Office with any questions!

PREP

Are you interested in being a catechist or aide for the 2025-2026 PREP year?  Please contact Linda Riofski at 610-268-5120 or dre@saintgabrielparish.org to begin the process to obtain your clearances.

 
Resources:
 
 
 
This page includes guidelines for PREP curriculum, resources, KidsTalk lessons and more information.
 
 
 
 
Prayer to One’s Guardian Angel for a Happy Hour of Death 
By: St. Charles Borromeo
 
My good Angel, I know not when or how I shall die. It is possible I may be carried off suddenly and that, before my last sigh, I may be deprived of all intelligence. Yet, how many things I would wish to say to God on the threshold of Eternity. In the full freedom of my will today, I come to charge you to speak for me at that fearful moment. You will say to Him, then, O my good Angel:
 
That I wish to die in the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church in which all the Saints since Jesus Christ have died, and out of which there is no salvation.
 
That I ask the grace of sharing in the infinite merits of my Redeemer and that I desire to die in pressing to my lips the Cross that was bathed in His Blood.
That I detest my sins because they displease Him and I ask pardon through the love of Him, for all my enemies as I wish myself to be pardoned. That I die willingly because He orders it and I throw myself with confidence into His adorable Heart, awaiting all His Mercy. That in my inexpressible desire to go to Heaven, I am disposed to suffer everything it may please His Sovereign Justice to inflict on me.
 
That I love Him before all things, above call things and for His own sake; that I wish and hope to love Him with the Elect, His Angels and the Blessed Mother during all Eternity.
 
Do not refuse, O my Angel Guardian, to be my interpreter with GOD and to protest to Him that these are my sentiments and my will.
 
Amen