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Chapter 21: New Beginnings
Jake and Benjie sat at the dinner table staring at the empty walls of their home. “Wow, I can hardly believe we are leaving,” said Jake. “Boys, I know that this has been hard on you. Your mother and I have long prayed about this move. This has been a difficult decision, but as a family, this is best for us.” Jake replied, “Dad, we know. If there’s anything I’ve learned recently, it is that doing what is right can be difficult.” Jake’s mom smiled and started to cry. “Mom, what’s wrong?” asked Benjie. “I’m okay. I’m just so proud of my young men. God has truly blessed our family,” she said. “Jake, I just remembered! I haven’t decided what to put into the time capsule,” Benjie said with concern, “Plus so much of my stuff is already packed. And the big celebration is tomorrow!” Jake responded, “That’s okay little brother, I got it taken care of for the both of us.”
People gathered at the center of the Saint Francis Page 2 of 7 © RCL Benziger
Peace Garden. There was much excitement in the air, except for a small group of kids off to the side. The Explorers had gathered together for one last meeting with Jake and Benjie.
“Well today is the day, everyone. Today is our last meeting with Jake and Benjie,” Manuel said. “Jake and I have something we would like to share,” said Ellie. “We would like to have the group’s approval to have Benjie and Tobi present this as the Explorers’ gift to the new parish’s time capsule.” Tobi shouted as he leaned forward to get a glimpse, “What is it?” “Oh wow! It’s a small picture card of all of us!” exclaimed Benjie. “That’s nice,” said Marissa. Ellie continued to explain, “We would offer this card for future Explorers. On the inside is our mission statement. And then space for each of us to write a special message.” Jake then added, “We would like Benjie and Tobi to present it because they are the youngest in the group. They best represent the future of the Page 3 of 7 © RCL Benziger
Explorers.” Tobi and Benjie proudly smiled at each other. Everyone smiled and agreed on the plan.
Then Rodrigo motioned the group to notice how everyone else was walking into the church for Mass. Sister Camille motioned the Explorers to join her. So as they walked into the church, Keiko asked, “Sister, I wonder what we will find in that old tin can time capsule?” Then Manuel whispered to Rodrigo, “I wonder if kids back then played sports like us?” Tobi then asked, “Sister, why did they start a Catholic Church here?” Sister quietly told the group, “After Mass, I imagine that we will all find out the answers to your questions.” During Mass, Rodrigo and the three seminarians lead everyone in beautiful songs. Father Timothy preached about Jesus telling his followers to “Go out and make disciples of all nations.” At one point Ellie seemed to sense Jake’s sadness. At the Sign of Peace, she gave Jake a big hug and said, “Remember, Jake, we are only a click away.” After Mass, everyone gathered around the garden for the big picnic celebration. Volunteers Page 4 of 7 © RCL Benziger
had put up the tents, tables, and chairs for everyone. As soon as all the family and friends sat down, Father Timothy said, “Welcome everyone. We are here to celebrate new beginnings: The new beginning of our peace garden and new beginnings within our parish family. As many of you know, our community has been blessed by the Highland Ridge Explorers. In no small part, these Explorers made it possible for us to have this beautiful garden. They have continually modeled Jesus’ message to love one another. They show all of us what being a disciple is all about. And so today we give special support to the Explorers as they too experience a new beginning.” Manuel walked up next to Father Timothy and held the microphone carefully in his hand, and said, “Family and friends of the Highland Ridge Explorers, today is a day of new beginnings. We are here Page 5 of 7 © RCL Benziger
to celebrate two wonderful Explorers who are going to their new home in St. Louis. We will miss them, yet we have discovered that all of us disciples are meant to be like bamboo. We are strong in times of change, and can spread out with the love that Jesus has put in our hearts. I now ask all of you to pray over Jake, Benjie and their family.” Father Timothy then said, “Great and wonderful God, we are full of gratitude for all that Benjie and Jake have done in service to you. Bless them and their family as they go on to new adventures, new beginnings. May the people they meet and the world they encounter bring them happiness. May their new garden of Saint Louis be a place of peace.” Then everyone loudly prayed, “Amen.”
Next Sister Camille spoke, “Yes the Lord has truly blessed us with wonderful families. And so now we take time to look back at those families who have lived here before us. It is time to open up the old time capsule.” Page 6 of 7 © RCL Benziger
Officer Duncan took a wire cutter and snapped open the lock. The Explorers gathered in a circle around the box as Sister Camille opened it. Sister Camille announced to everyone, “Enclosed is a picture of a group of children standing with a priest, a religious sister, and a statue of the Good Shepherd. There is also a picture of a little wooden church, and a 1937 silver dollar, and a small crucifix.” Then Sister Camille found a letter in the bottom of the time capsule. She opened it and read it to everyone: “To whomever finds our box, we are the children of Good Shepherd Catholic Church. We have come here from all over the country to start a new town. At first we were strangers, but now we are a family. Our parents built our little church and we helped too. Father Shriver, our pastor, is the only Catholic priest for two hundred miles. So, he is precious to us. We hope that the people who read this have made our church bigger and better by their lives. We are all connected by God’s love. We are all disciples together on the journey to eternal life with God in Heaven. We, your family from the past, are praying for you. Pray for us too.” Page 7 of 7 © RCL Benziger
Eight children in the photo signed the letter: “Ben, Jimmy, Betsy, Laura, Amelia, Michel, Juan and Maria - The Kingdom Kids”
“Wow! That’s amazing,” said Ellie. “I guess it’s time then,” said Jake who motioned Tobi and Benjie. Sister Camille motioned for Jake and said, “Now in return we will offer our families in the future, our own time capsule.”
Jake then stood up before the crowd and said, “Father Timothy had asked for us to be the first to contribute to the new time capsule. So all of us Highland Ridge Explorers have signed a photo card with messages too! This is really amazing how we are doing something so similar as those Kingdom Kids. Anyway Tobi and Benjie, if you will please place the signed photo card into the new time capsule.” Tobi and Benjie proudly walked up to the new time capsule and placed the signed photo card inside. The rest of the Highland Ridge Explorers stood around them holding hands. ---------------
TIME TO DISCUSS Exit out of this page-turner. Then scroll to the bottom of the web page to discuss questions with your classmates.