The Jesuit Spirit is Justice Community Days Strengthen the Brotherhood

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMMUNITY DAY

On Jan. 12, Prep hosted our Martin Luther King Jr. Community Period. This period is designed to honor the efforts of Dr. King, and his commitment to working for social justice. Prep students participated in a campus Service Fair, in which Prep hosted 25 non-profit organizations in Fairfield County. They made presentations on their missions, how they serve the community and how our students can get involved. Additionally, Prep seniors made hundreds of sandwiches for the hungry in our area. Park City Initiative and Nourish Bridgeport distributed them to Bridgeport families.

The discussion with Deacon Art Miller of St. Mary’s Simsbury (top photo), which took place on Jan. 9, was played for a large portion of our students during this MLK period. Deacon Art answered questions posed by AACC President Farrell Nivrose ’24 and questions from the audience about his life as a black Catholic deacon and a Civil Rights activist, as well as how to live out the teachings of Dr. King.

No Place For Hate

Prep students took part in the first “Call to Action” Community Day assembly on Oct. 5, with the focus on maintaining a “No Place for Hate” environment. Students attended an intro presentation in the SLC which included Principal Timothy Dee. They then visited the McLeod Innovation Center where they heard songs with key Christian messages performed by the Men’s Choir. The final program included a Zoom visit featuring Prep alumni: Tony Fox ’14, Jack Gavey ’12, Kristian Moor ’11 and Christian Felner ’13 (See “Felly” article on page 51). Overall, the boys learned more about our Jesuit values of inclusion and acceptance.

Black History Month

Prep’s African American Cultural Club (AACC) wrapped up Black History Month with an event in Brissette Gym. Club representatives set up music, history, fashion, trivia, and game stations, where the AACC members taught games and helped our student body learn about African American culture. Thanks to club moderator Jayné Penn for overseeing the event.

Ignatian Family Teach In For Justice

Our Fairfield Prep contingent visited Washington, D.C., for a weekend in October for the Ignatian Family Teach In for Justice. During their visit, they engaged with keynote talks and smaller workshops around social justice issues. On Oct. 24, they met with elected officials on Capitol Hill for the advocacy portion of the conference.

Honoring The Saints

The Fairfield Prep Community gathered on Nov. 1, for a Mass of the Feast of All Saints. We thank the Very Rev. Joseph O’Keefe, S.J., Provincial of the USA East Province of the Jesuits, for celebrating this important Mass with our students. Prep’s Music Ministry offered song during this time as well.