Jake walked along the street near his house, hands jammed in his pockets, kicking up leaves with his feet. Head down, he was thinking about the first day at his new school. At first he had thought it would be an adventure to be in a middle school. It seemed so much more important than elementary school. But after just one day, Jake wasn’t so sure.

“Hey, Jake,” a boy’s voice called to him. “Wait up!”

Jake turned and saw his friend Manuel. “Where were you today, Jake? What were you thinking, missing the first day of school?”

“Everything changed last week,” said Jake. “My mom and dad told Benjie and me that they just couldn’t afford the tuition at St. Ann’s this year and that we would have to go to public school.”

“Wow,” said Manuel. “That’s really too bad. Now I’m there and you’re not! But you and Ellie are at the same school, now, so you’ll know someone, at least. Right?

“Yeah, I guess so,” said Jake. “But I didn’t see her today. There are so many kids—800 students, and it’s only 7th and 8th grade!. The 7th graders are considered the babies. I hate it!”

“Gosh, Jake, I’m really sorry,” said Manuel. “But even if I’m going to St. Ann’s and you’re at Beecher Street Middle School, you’re still the leader of the Highland Ridge Explorers. We have our first fall meeting tomorrow, remember?”

“Yes, I know,” said Jake. But he still looked dejected.

They had reached the end of the street, and Manuel turned the corner in the direction of his own house. “See you tomorrow!”

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The next afternoon, the four Explorers and Jake’s little brother Benjie sat on the wide back porch at Keiko’s house. Keiko’s mother had just set out a tray of cookies and juice, and friends were sharing their first week of school experiences.

“Well I’m not having fun at school this year,” said Benjie glumly. “I hate my new school! None of my friends go there, and I can’t even see them after school because I have to be here at this dumb club meeting where I’m not even a voting member! I’m ten years old now and when I started coming to your meetings last year most of you were only eleven. Why can’t I be a real member of this club?”

“You know, Benjie, you have a point,” said Manuel. “You took part in most of our activities, especially toward the end of the year. What do the rest of you think?”

The girls looked a little hesitant for a moment, but then Ellie said, “Why not, Benjie? Jake, call a vote. I move that Benjie become a full voting member of the Highland Ridge Explorers.” Manuel seconded the motion and soon Benjie was voted in.

“Thanks, guys,” said Benjie, beaming.

“So, “ began Keiko. “What shall we do first this year? We need a project. Let’s hear an idea from each person.”

Manuel began. “My mom is in charge of the booths at the parish festival this fall. I’m sure she could use some help with some of them. “

Jake looked up suddenly and said, “I have another idea. The Winter Sports League doesn’t have enough money for new equipment, at least that’s what my dad said. Maybe we could have a fundraiser for them.”

“OK, that’s a good idea,” said Keiko. “We can put that on the list.”

“Well here’s a third idea,” said Ellie. “I wonder how many Catholic kids go to our middle school, Jake. And I wonder how many of them don’t go to the St. Ann’s Faith Formation Program. If we could figure out who they were, we could start a campaign to let them know about our program. What do you the rest of you think?”

“I like that,” said Keiko. “Even though some of us are in Catholic school, our teacher, Mrs. Somers, always reminds us that Catholic school kids are just lucky to get to be there. But we have an obligation to share our faith with everyone. Maybe Beecher Street Middle School is a good place to start. What do you all think?”

“Not a bad idea, Keiko,” said Jake. “We still need sports equipment, but this might be a project that is more about being a disciple. Shall we have a vote?”

Everyone said yes, and it was quickly decided to let this be the first project of the year.

“Wait a minute,” said Benjie. What about my school? Remember, I go to public school now too.”

“You’re right, Benjie,” agreed Jake. “But we have to start somewhere and then branch out.”

“That’s ok, “ said Benjie. “I was just making the point.”

“And a good one it was, Benjie,” said Jake. “So where do we begin?”

At first everyone just sat, thinking silently and chewing on cookies. Eventually they decided on three possible first steps.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
TIME TO VOTE!

 

Questions for Classroom Discussion

1. What habit of discipleship are the Highland Ridge Explorers trying to practice?
2. What other ideas do you have that could help them reach out to others?
3. What might you do in your own parish to make other young people feel welcome?