Duc in Altum

Recently, I was talking with the wife of a generous couple who have adopted several children. A few years ago, they made the decision to move about 40 miles west to the other side of the mountain from where they used to live. They did this for a number of good reasons, but they put at the top of their justification list the need to be close to a good, orthodox parish in which they believed they could raise their children. God has blessed their decision in many ways. For instance, despite the policy of the diocese which normally moves priests around every six years or so, the priest of the parish has been the pastor for over 16 years. It is only this year that he is finally be transferred to another parish in the diocese. During his time, the parish has grown tremendously. RCIA has always been a wonderful experience that shephered many souls into the Catholic Church. I should know, my wife and I once went through the program. Just in numbers, the parish has grown. Many apostolates have been started and others revitalized. The library contains many very good books and videos to help parishoners grow. The grounds of the parish underwent a significant refurbishment which included the addition of very nice parish hall. Not least at all, the parish boasts Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in a diocese that scarcely seems to know what Eucharistic devotion is.

Someone who was critical of this family's move and especially of their primary reason, suggested that they should "bear the cross" of remaining in their former parish which maintained many heterdox practices. When the wife related this to me, I replied that it is certainly one thing for an adult to carry a cross, but it is a little much for us to expect our children to bear such a burden. The critic would have this family suffer with lack of true food all in the name of "bearing a cross" during the children's most tender ages of formation.

Today, my wife and I are taking our eight-month old daughter to the hospital for an MRI. There is a concern that her head has grown at a rate which is significantly higher than the rest of her body. I have to say her head does not look that big compared to the rest of her body. What a cross this is! The whole process is difficult. First, she has to stop eating anything but clear liquids six hours before the appointment time. Then she must stop eating clear liquids two hours before she is schedule to arrive at the hospital. This for a child who is used to eating quite regularly throughout the day. Finally, she will have to be sedated. This is the scary part. It will be very difficult to watch her sedated. Of course, there are possible complications with the sedation: vomiting, aspiration, excessive drowsiness. Needless to say, my wife and I are concerned and prayerful. This really is a cross that seems too much to bear. She is so small, yet she has to undergo sedation and a thirty minute MRI. Oh yes, I should say that I am fully convinced that there is nothing wrong with her head; she just has a big head right now. The rest of her body will catch up as she gets older.

We would appreciate your prayers.

Jesus, I trust in You!