New Chapters

Written by Ana Becerra, Seminarian & Cristo Rey Mission Developer

When I moved to the United States in 2000, I knew I needed to learn and adapt to a new culture. One of these culture changes was celebrating prom and graduation. The word graduation is only used when when someone finishes a two year technical college or a four year degree. Indeed, we have ceremonies from kindergarten until high school, but we use the word “finished" or "exiting.”

In 2014, I had my first “graduate.” We had a family dinner with four of his grandparents to celebrate. This year I have my second “graduate.” I did have plans for a bigger celebration than his sibling had, but 2020 has been a tough year. A world pandemic has given us a new way to live. We need to be social distancing, and with that often comes the postponement of gatherings.

My sweet Joshua is okay having a celebration with only six of us. Last week I was planning a celebration for him. However, three days after George Floyd was killed our hearts were not ready to celebrate.

To all who graduate this year, I want to let you know that even if you have not had a celebration, I AM PROUD OF YOU. I recognize that the last three months of your school year were nothing as you would have planned. You’ve had to quickly adapt to e-learning and you did it. You did not get the opportunity to walk around your school for the last time as a student or the chance to sign your friend’s yearbooks. There are so many things you did not get to do.

Now is the time for new chapters in your life. I pray to God that you may feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. The LORD blesses you and keeps you; the LORD makes his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turns his face toward you and gives you peace in the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.