PREP Students "Travel" in Solidarity with the Poor

Close to 70 PREP students signed in at Incarnation Hall this spring to start a Food Fast Retreat for seven hours. There they walked in solidarity with the poor around the world caught in the reality of forced migration. Dusty travelers pictured on a poster greeted the students with the statement:

"Traveler, there is no road. You make the road by walking"

Most of the students had never even considered the plight of people in poverty walking towards a better life or escaping violence and hunger in their own countries. They watched the film "Dying to Live," produced by the University of Notre Dame, which put a human face on the migrant workers crossing American borders every day from Mexico. Discussions centered around hard questions such as:

> Do people have the right to migrate to sustain their lives and their families?
>Are we, as Catholics, obliged to work toward regulating our borders with justice and mercy?
>Should any country's immigration policy take into regard the human dignity of all people?

As especially poignant session focused on the reality of life as a migrant. Students were given $5.00 to "purchase" food and supplies for their family for a week. One cup of rice and one cup of beans cost $1 each. For $2, they received three pieces of mismatched cloth symbolizing a shirt, pants and underwear. Building materials also were provided for a makeshift shelter. No water, shoes, or coats were available or even affordable.  The students listed all things they needed to survive, people who provided services, things that make their lives easier or fun. Then they were asked, "What is the one thing you absolutely must have?" Faced with the reality of the small amount of food and clothing they were able to purchase with a typical week's wage, items they thoughtfully placed on their lists were overwhelming  compared to the actual small provisions they were able to purchase.

Other sessions had the students make choices on everyday situations and then compare these relatively easy choices with the hard decisions a migrant faces: "Can I feed my family today?" "Will I be chosen to work the fields today?"

Finally, each student was given a representation of bare feet in flip-flops done on cardstock. A banner with a wide road and the theme of the retreat was placed in the front of the room. Throughout the day, participants were asked to do the following:

On the left foot, write something they wanted to walk away from, such as fighting with a sibling, bad grades, being lazy, etc. On the right foot, write something they wanted to walk toward with Jesus, such as calmness, respect for others and thankfulness for what they had. The messages were placed on the banner and presented with the gifts at the 5 p.m. Mass as their prayer offering to Jesus. (They remained on the walls of the church hall.)

"In seven hours, not a single child complained of being hungry," said Carol Flick, seventh grade PREP teacher and retreat coordinator, who thanked the children and fellow volunteer teachers and parents for a beautiful, faith-filled learning experience. "We are all truly blessed with these children." 

Welcome to our PREP Program (2009-2010 Update)

We thank you for entrusting us with a share in your commitment to form your children in their Christian faith.  As a parish staff, we endeavor to respond generously and faithfully to you and your children.

We are looking ahead to registration for the 2009-2010 Catechetical year. Click Here for letters which contain important updates and changes regarding fees and Confirmation dates for the upcoming year. Please review them carefully.

For your convenience, Please Click
Here for the Registration Form to print and return to the PREP offices in the Parish Hall. Registration requests will be fulfilled as they are received. We ask that you send your tuition payment separate from your registration directly to the rectory. Deadline for registration and tuition is July 1, 2009. Please make your check payable to Church of the Incarnation at the rectory address listed below:

Church of the Incarnation
234 Shadow Place
Mantua, NJ 08051
Attention: Mandy

Please feel free to contact the PREP office at 856-468-7566 with any questions.                                           

PREP Teachers and Volunteers Needed

The PREP program is in need of catechists  and volunteers for the 2009-2010 school year. We are also looking for Catechists to assist with the Children's Liturgy of the Word on Sunday morning at either the 9:30 AM or 11:00 AM Mass beginning in September. Also, we are in need of parent aides to cover all classes as well as volunteers (high school students through senior citizens) for this summer's Vacation Bible School.  If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact Sister Denise at 856-468-7566 or contact the rectory at 856-468-1314.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School will be held Monday, August 3, 2009 through Friday, August 14, 2009 (not including Saturday and Sunday) from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon in the Parish Hall. Cost will be $20.00 per week. For additional information, please contact Sister Denise at 856-468-7566.

Family Fun Day 2009: PREP Service Hours

On Sunday, July 12, 2009, Church of the Incarnation will be holding our annual Family Fun Day from 12:00 Noon until 3:00 PM.

We are in need of Level 6 PREP students to help us out that day and service hours are being offered. Interested students, please contact Ann Spross or Terri Gannon by email.

Also, any parents that would be interested in helping us make this a successful day, please email Terri or Ann by clicking on their names above. Thank you for your support.

PREP News

Registrations are now being taken for the 2009-2010 Catechetical Year. Information has been sent home with all present PREP students. Registration forms can be found below and can be sent to the PREP office anytime. Remember that classes are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. All payments are to be sent separately to the rectory. Anyone new to the program is asked to call the PREP office at 856-468-7566 to set up an appointment with Sister Denise prior to registration. New registrations will not be processed without an appointment.

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