This morning after Holy Mass, Father LeRoy surprised us with wonderful news.
“I have to drive into Sioux City on an errand,” he said with a smile, “and I thought the Reading Club might enjoy coming along. My treat is lunch at the Normandy Restaurant.”
Everyone’s eyes grew wide. Even Mini tilted her head as if she understood every word.
Before long we were riding through the bright green countryside in Father’s old car. The rain had washed the fields clean, and everything looked fresh and sparkling.
When we reached the Normandy Restaurant, I could hardly believe how pretty it was. It looked almost like a little French castle, with its round stone tower, climbing ivy, and flowers blooming all around the entrance.
Father looked up at the blue sky and smiled.
“What a beautiful day,” he said. “Would you mind setting a table for us outside beneath the shade? I think our Reading Club belongs outdoors today.”
The hostess smiled warmly. “It would be our pleasure, Father.”
Soon we were seated at a round table under a great shade tree, with the Normandy gardens all around us. It felt like a very grand picnic.
Before lunch arrived, Father said, “Kathy, would you read today’s chapter summary?”
So I stood beside the table and read.
“Today’s chapter tells how two physicians were sent to examine Bernadette after Our Lady revealed her name. They expected to find something wrong with her, but instead they found a sensible, calm, healthy little girl.
Even though they could find no illness, they still suggested she might be imagining the visions, simply because they did not believe such things could happen.
Their report was then used by the Prefect as an excuse to plan Bernadette’s arrest and confinement. He also wanted the Grotto stripped of its offerings, and soldiers kept ready in case the people resisted.
It shows how dangerous it is when people refuse the truth because it does not fit what they already believe.”
Father LeRoy folded his hands quietly.
“The doctors admitted what they saw,” he said, “but they could not accept what it meant. Bernadette had nothing to defend except the truth.”
Robert nodded. “She was the only one who wasn’t trying to prove something.”
That made everyone smile, because it was true.
Then our lunch came—ham and cheese sandwiches, crisp potato chips, and cold milk. We ate slowly beneath the shade tree, with the flowers nearby and the warm city sounds drifting past us.
Before we left, Father asked me to read our prayer.
“Dear Jesus, give us humble hearts that love truth more than pride. Help us never to reject Your works simply because they are beyond our understanding. Teach us to trust You with simple faith, as Bernadette did. Amen.”
Father made the Sign of the Cross over us.
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
The ride home felt long and peaceful. The afternoon sun shone over the wet fields, and everyone was quiet for a while. I think we were all still thinking about Bernadette.
Sometimes the journey home is part of the lesson too.
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