The Sheepfold and the Voice of the Shepherd

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Stone sheepfold John 10:22-30 Recently my boys have been spending a great deal of time outside in the area that will soon be transformed into our garden. They spend endless hours digging in the dirt for worms. They then promptly take those worms and throw them to the chickens. It amazes me how even chickens can learn to recognize sounds or voices. My oldest makes this funny high-pitched sound when he comes out of the house and heads toward the coop. The chickens practically fall over themselves running toward the fence or out of the coop when they hear him making his sound. They know there is food to follow! In Sunday's Gospel Jesus tells us that, "My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me." and "I am the gate for the sheep." Today, again, Jesus mentions that His sheep know His voice and follow Him.  In these few verses we learn that Jesus is both gate and shepherd for the sheep. In those days and even today in some places, a sheepfold w
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Catherine Update

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Wednesday Catherine had a routine eye appointment at Children's. During the exam the doctor discovered what looked like the retina in her right eye was detached. It is difficult to completely examine a wiggly 19 month old, so on Thursday morning Catherine was put under anesthesia and the doctor was able to look at both of her eyes and even do an ultrasound. What she confirmed was that her right retina was completely detached. She was unable though, to find a reason for it to do so. So she sent us to a retinal specialist this morning. This doctor dilated her eyes and confirmed what the previous doctor saw. His main focus right now is finding out why her retina detached and then we can talk about reattaching it. The most concerning thing to the doctor is that there might be something behind her retina, like a tumor, that would push on the retina and cause it to detach. He specifically wants to rule out retinoblastoma, a type of cancer that causes tumors behind the retina and might cause it to detach.

Catherine is in no pain from this thankfully. Her vision in her right is reduced to just light and dark right now. No one has spoken about the possibility of her vision being restored completely in that eye. I am not holding out much hope for that at this point. I remember vividly from nusring school my instructor telling us that retinal detachment is an emergency that requires surgery right away to save the eyesight. Unfortunately Catherine couldn't tell us the symptoms she was experiencing before her retina detched. I imagine it's been a couple of weeks.

Prayers for Catherine and her doctors would be greatly appreciated. St. Lucy is the patroness of eye troubles and coincidently (I think not!) her feast day is Dec. 13. We will be starting a novena to her tomorrow that will end on her feast day. If you feel led to join us, here is a link to a prayer (scroll down to the bottom). Thank you and God Bless!

P.S. - Also note today's readings!! - Jim

Comments

Barbara said…
I will join you in the novena and will keep Catherine in my daily prayers.
3:39 PM
Patience said…
Wow that is tough! She is so young and has gone through so much. I continue to keep Catherine and all of you guys in my prayers.
4:52 PM
Anonymous said…
Hey Nicole, I was so sorry to read about Catherine. I will be praying for her.
4:40 PM
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