Every year since 1994, the Catholic Newman Center of West Chester University sends eight students to Cuautepec, Mexico over the winter break-- not for fun, but for service. Living with host families in Cuautepec for nine days, these students become immersed in Mexican culture and the life of this poor, mountainside community of a half million people. The students and their families will gather for a commissioning service and farewell dinner on

Wednesday, January 5, 2000
7:00 p.m.
The Newman Center
West Chester University
West Chester, PA

Under the direction of the local pastor, the students spend some of their days performing manual labor, while other days are spent visiting important cultural sites. In addition, the eight students bring sixteen suitcases filled with clothing, shoes, toys, and books donated by members of the West Chester community. This represents a sacrifice on the students' part, since they can only bring for themselves what they can carry on their backs.

The students will depart for Mexico on January 6th and return on January 14th, 2000. The purpose of the trip goes beyond work projects and educational enrichment. It is about encountering Jesus Christ in the faces and lives of people from a different culture, and discovering riches abounding in apparent poverty.

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Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747