Child Protection Catechesis

Diocese of Allentown

“Circle of Grace” Program

Grades 1-8 – 2024-2025 PREP School Year 

The Diocese of Allentown has once again directed all schools & parish religious education programs to present the “Circle of Grace Program”. The program, developed by a team of educators and youth protection professionals in the Archdiocese of Omaha, is rooted in the Catholic faith and emphasizes dignity and respect for one’s body, appropriate boundaries, and awareness of child protection topics, including online safety and grooming.

Grade-appropriate modules are designed for K - 12 students and include information and resources for parents. If you wish to see what is covered in the modules, please feel free to reach out to me to be sent materials via email.

The PREP teachers will be reviewing the materials in a specified class no later than December 1, 2024. If any parent does NOT want their child(ren) to participate in the grade-appropriate lesson, please sign and return the bottom of the attached form to the Rectory no later than August 25, 2024.

Your child’s teacher will let you know when the lesson will be taught, and provide your child with an alternative assignment. Completed forms may be placed in the collection basket at any Mass (folded and marked PREP); emailed to the Rectory; or, PDF versions may be emailed to Mrs. O’Donnell at the email listed below (PDFs MUST contain a signature). The parent opt-out is required to be reported to the Diocese of Allentown.

We thank you for continuing to place your trust in us as we work with you and your child in partnership. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the email listed below. You are also welcome to contact Katie Albright, Director of Catechesis for the Diocese of Allentown, at kalbright@allentowndiocese.org if you have any questions about the Circle of Grace program or child protection catechesis in the Diocese of Allentown. The safety of our students is always our priority, and we hope you will take advantage of and share the parental resources included with the curriculum.

God Bless,
Janessa O’Donnell
PREP Administrator, Parish Safe Environment Coordinator
janessa.odonnell@stjoescoopersburg.org