Read Online Mission Libertad by Lizette M. Lantigua - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Lizette M. Lantigua
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She helped with the filing and other office work. Rosie was the office manager.
It was hard work to balance so many things right now, but they were encouraged by all the other Cubans in the family who had done the same thing when they first came. They also had the advantage of living with family for as long as needed so they could save for their own place. Their new family seemed to enjoy having them at their home and didnât even want to speak about the day they were to move out.
Rosie put all the dirty dishes in the sink, cleaning her hands with a dish towel.
âIs everyone ready?â she asked.
âYes, I will get my jacket,â Luisito said. Although his cousins were still wearing short-sleeved shirts, the air was crispânot what Luisito was used to.
Churches reminded Luisito of Abuela. He knew she would be going to church today. It was as if they were united in some strange way. The music coming from the choir caught his attention. The priest spoke, and then someone started reading. He wished he could understand the readings better. Then Tommy passed him a missalette,a book to follow along what the lector was reading. Luisito could read and understand English much better than he could speak it.
He watched attentively as the others sat, stood, and knelt. He loved the reading from the Gospel of Mark on how Jesus came to bring hope to all. He learned how Jesus healed, cured, and spread the word of God. This made Luisito very happy. It filled him with hope as well. Hope that he would make new friends, hope that his parents would have good jobs, and hope that Abuela would soon join them.
When the priest stepped to the ambo for the homily, Luisito tried to listen closely, but because it wasnât in Spanish he could only understand a few things. He heard the priest say that it was everyoneâs mission to live the Word of God and spread the Good News. Luisito wanted to read the Good News, but what in the world was that? Where could he find it? He would have to ask.
His mind had wandered a little when he heard a bell ring. He didnât know where it was coming from. He saw the priest lift a round piece of bread with great reverence and hold it high so everyone could see it. He did the same with a gold cup. Luisito was mesmerized. He saw the young priestâs face and he imagined for a brief second that it was Jesus breaking the bread. The feeling made him shiver. He wondered what the others kneeling beside him felt. Some had their eyes closed and were absorbed in their conversation with God. Others looked at the altar and their lips moved as if they were holding a private conversation with someone. Luisito wondered how theyhad come to believe in God. He asked God to help him so he could soon understand and pray like those around him. Music began to play and people got up from the pews to receive this bread. This must be the Holy Bread that Abuela had spoken about. Luisito felt an urge to go when Rosie whispered in his ear.
âYou have to learn more about the Holy Eucharist before you can receive it,â she said.
Luisito sadly sat back down.
âBut you may participate by staying in your seat and praying with the rest of the community,â Rosie added.
Everyone sang one last hymn and then it was over. As they left Luisito noticed his mother was misty-eyed.
âI feel so good going to Mass,â he heard her tell Rosie, âbut at the same time so empty. I donât understand anything. I want to go to confession but there is no one here who speaks Spanish.â
As they were walking toward the parking lot, Luisito saw a girl about his age. She had orange hair the color of a
calabasa
, or pumpkin, and the prettiest green eyes Luisito had ever seen.
âHi, Tommy,â she said, waving.
Luisito was glad she knew Tommy. This meant he would be meeting her.
âHi, Sherry,â Tommy said, and casually waved one hand. She looked at Luisito as she walked
It was hard work to balance so many things right now, but they were encouraged by all the other Cubans in the family who had done the same thing when they first came. They also had the advantage of living with family for as long as needed so they could save for their own place. Their new family seemed to enjoy having them at their home and didnât even want to speak about the day they were to move out.
Rosie put all the dirty dishes in the sink, cleaning her hands with a dish towel.
âIs everyone ready?â she asked.
âYes, I will get my jacket,â Luisito said. Although his cousins were still wearing short-sleeved shirts, the air was crispânot what Luisito was used to.
Churches reminded Luisito of Abuela. He knew she would be going to church today. It was as if they were united in some strange way. The music coming from the choir caught his attention. The priest spoke, and then someone started reading. He wished he could understand the readings better. Then Tommy passed him a missalette,a book to follow along what the lector was reading. Luisito could read and understand English much better than he could speak it.
He watched attentively as the others sat, stood, and knelt. He loved the reading from the Gospel of Mark on how Jesus came to bring hope to all. He learned how Jesus healed, cured, and spread the word of God. This made Luisito very happy. It filled him with hope as well. Hope that he would make new friends, hope that his parents would have good jobs, and hope that Abuela would soon join them.
When the priest stepped to the ambo for the homily, Luisito tried to listen closely, but because it wasnât in Spanish he could only understand a few things. He heard the priest say that it was everyoneâs mission to live the Word of God and spread the Good News. Luisito wanted to read the Good News, but what in the world was that? Where could he find it? He would have to ask.
His mind had wandered a little when he heard a bell ring. He didnât know where it was coming from. He saw the priest lift a round piece of bread with great reverence and hold it high so everyone could see it. He did the same with a gold cup. Luisito was mesmerized. He saw the young priestâs face and he imagined for a brief second that it was Jesus breaking the bread. The feeling made him shiver. He wondered what the others kneeling beside him felt. Some had their eyes closed and were absorbed in their conversation with God. Others looked at the altar and their lips moved as if they were holding a private conversation with someone. Luisito wondered how theyhad come to believe in God. He asked God to help him so he could soon understand and pray like those around him. Music began to play and people got up from the pews to receive this bread. This must be the Holy Bread that Abuela had spoken about. Luisito felt an urge to go when Rosie whispered in his ear.
âYou have to learn more about the Holy Eucharist before you can receive it,â she said.
Luisito sadly sat back down.
âBut you may participate by staying in your seat and praying with the rest of the community,â Rosie added.
Everyone sang one last hymn and then it was over. As they left Luisito noticed his mother was misty-eyed.
âI feel so good going to Mass,â he heard her tell Rosie, âbut at the same time so empty. I donât understand anything. I want to go to confession but there is no one here who speaks Spanish.â
As they were walking toward the parking lot, Luisito saw a girl about his age. She had orange hair the color of a
calabasa
, or pumpkin, and the prettiest green eyes Luisito had ever seen.
âHi, Tommy,â she said, waving.
Luisito was glad she knew Tommy. This meant he would be meeting her.
âHi, Sherry,â Tommy said, and casually waved one hand. She looked at Luisito as she walked
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