In the Beginning

About the Book

Thirteen-year-old David O’Rourke is living an uneventful life in sleepy Spring Lake until Father Eli arrives. David is deemed a fledgling modern-day knight, and at Father Eli’s request, he and his classmate, Jon Clark, are chosen to embark on a quest to find a missing chalice that holds great importance to Father Eli and the Church.
Together, David and Jon unravel mysteries hidden in plain sight to complete their mission. Under the tutelage of Father Eli and Police Chief Mike Trout, they learn more about their own purposes, their roles as sons and brothers, and their divine destinies. They also become aware of an invisible power that makes all things possible.



“WOW! Steve Kenny takes us on a fast-paced thriller that is at once a fresh look at a coming-of-age story that finds manhood in virtue and goodness instead of drugs and sex. This book is a call to arms for Catholics everywhere who feel their families besieged by our culture, and an almost poetic idyll on the beautiful seaside town of Spring Lake, all wrapped within a mysterious page-turner that will leave you on the edge of your seat to its glorious last page. A triumphant debut!”
- Steve Auth, Author, Pilgrimage to the Museum and Missionary of Wall Street.

“In the Beginning is a redeeming story that captivates the reader while highlighting the Catholic faith in a positive light. This is a great read for young people or anyone who enjoys novels about virtue, heroism, and faith.”
- Everett Fritz, Catholic Speaker and Author, Founder of Andrew Ministries.

“A beautiful story, set in a quiet Jersey Shore community, that reveals how young people see and respond in today’s world. We experience their growth through the lens of wonder and discovery. The reader witnesses the positive influence of a good Catholic priest and is reminded of a beautiful Catholic Church that many have forgotten. The reader will be immersed in the Church’s beauty while being formed by its teachings.
I strongly recommend this book to families, especially those who desire to grow together in their faith.”
- Mario Costabile, Founder and Executive Director, Array of Hope.

About the Author

Steve Kenny is a husband, father of four, and grandfather of six and counting. After a successful Wall Street career, he became a teacher of theology and honors English, and a lacrosse coach, at St. Joseph Regional High School. He taught CCD (Religious Education) for thirty years to students preparing for Confirmation. He is also founder of Shore Catholics, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building faith at home and in communities.