| Author | Post |
|---|
Christine Ann
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 118 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 25th, 2007 12:38 am |
|
Hello Friends,
For those of you who remember or have prayed for my granddaughter, Karis Ann...thank you. After a time of great concern for her survival, she has been moved from intensive care. I know that the prayers lifted in her behalf have made all the difference. She is having a tracheotomy done on Monday, so please pray for her....
Now my problem. For the first time in three months Karis is able to receive visitors...we've not seen her and now have the opportunity to do so on Sunday. This is a wonderful and exciting demonstration of how much better she is. Praise God for his mercy! Trouble is I'm supposed to go to the Rite of Sending for my fellow catechumen (we are the only two not yet received in the Church.) I am so thrilled for him and want very much to attend. There will be 1200 people sent and I'm told it is a moving and beautiful service. Plus I feel very close to the other catechumen and I would be disappointed to miss his important step. And I believe my first devotion should be to the Church...but do you see this as an exception?
I must make a decision whether to miss seeing my granddaugher or miss Mass and the Rite of Sending. Is my first duty to attend Mass ? I know that I must not offend God and the Church by missing Mass...but my heart longs to see Karis. My husband is waiting for me to decide and has no sympathy for my postion. He can't understand choosing to "go to Church" over seeing our grandchild before her very vital surgery. He said very coldly, that "I knew what I was committing myself to"...when I chose to pursue Catholicism. I am torn and saddened by this situation. Is this a situation where I must choose between God and the Church or my family?
This has made me unsure of making "the journey"; particularly because of my husband's feelings. Enough said.
Christine Ann 
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5353 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 25th, 2007 12:54 am |
|
Christine Ann wrote: I must make a decision whether to miss seeing my granddaugher or miss Mass and the Rite of Sending. Is my first duty to attend Mass ?
In my opinion, you should visit your granddaughter. Call your priest and ask his opinion, but I'm sure it will be the same. He can also dispense your obligation to attend mass. The Rite of Sending is indeed a beautiful and meaningful ceremony, but it is only a ceremony. It is much more important to support your granddaughter during her time of need.
There will be 1200 people sent; only you can support your granddaughter. Go to a different mass, or go to mass Monday, but your granddaughter needs to see you there. Your love will give her strength to persevere through your surgery. After all, in Matthew 25:36, Jesus talks about taking care of the sick and visiting the imprisoned, not going to church. Your granddaughter is ill and is, in effect, imprisoned by her illness. Your primary responsibility is to take care of the least of God's people, and at the moment, that is your granddaughter.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
|
|
|
David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2117 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
| Status: |
Online
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 25th, 2007 08:57 am |
|
I agree with Rick’s assessment, Christine Ann. Karis comes first.
David
|
|
|
Christine Ann
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 118 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 25th, 2007 09:46 am |
|
David and Rick,
Thank you so much for your response. Now I can go to see Karis in peace. May God bless you both.
In His Love,
Christine Ann
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5353 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 25th, 2007 10:09 am |
|
If it's not too late, you should call your priest or RCIA coordinator to let them know you won't be going to the Rite, so they won't be paniced waiting for you.
Have a safe trip.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
|
|
|
Christine Ann
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 118 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 25th, 2007 02:41 pm |
|
Well Rick, I did as you directed and called my RCIA director and explained the situation. But my husband came home from his church service and advised me that Karis is back on isolation. So we miss seeing our baby granddaughter, and I have missed out on the Rite of Sending. What a disappointment!
Change of plans...Karis is able to receive a visit after all. We just got a call from our daughter. (sorry for the bold...I can't get it to stop by clicking on it.) Anyway we are thrilled...thanks again for your comments. We are off to Cincinnati!
Christine Ann
|
|
|
Christine Ann
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 118 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 26th, 2007 09:22 pm |
|
Dear David and Rick,
We had a wonderful visit with Karis last night. She is precious beyond words. My RCIA director assured me that seeing Karis took priority. Her surgery went as planned and she tolerated it well. She must have over 100 people praying for her and it's making all the difference. Next week, provided she does well this week, her parents will have training on how to maintain her "trach". And then...we are praying...she will be able to go home. I don't want to feel over-confident, but she is doing very well. Praise God for his love and mercy! This baby has been through so much suffering....is it possible to lift her suffering to God? Otherwise, it is so hard to see her suffer. She cries but cannot make any sound. But then she also smiles and laughes her Mom says. She looked at us intently when we talked to her, kicking her little arms and legs. And she loves Baby Einstein...cries if they turn it off!
Well, I'm a typical proud grandmother as you can see.
Thank you so much for praying for this child.
In His Love,
Christine Ann
|
|
|
Darlene
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 1st, 2007 11:48 pm |
|
Dear Christine Ann,
I'm so glad to hear that Karis is improving in her health. I prayed for her after you requested it and that just blesses me as I am sure that it blesses you and all the others that prayed for her.
Keep us posted as to her progress. I will continue to pray for Karis.
Darlene
____________________
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
|
|
|
Ali
Member
| Joined: | Sat Jan 6th, 2007 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 663 |
| First Name: | Ali | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | JW, finally fully Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 2nd, 2007 03:09 pm |
|
How is baby Karis doing? My prayers are with her. Such precious little angels.
All my best,
Ali
|
|
|
Christine Ann
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 118 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 2nd, 2007 08:34 pm |
|
Darlene, Thank you for your prayers. It really is amazing how well she is doing. We grow more optimistic each day that passes.
In His love,
Christine Ann
|
|
|
Christine Ann
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 118 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 2nd, 2007 08:45 pm |
|
Ali,
Thank you so much for asking...she continues to do well. Right now they are trying to wean her off some of the pain and seditive medications they had her on. But her little nose is free of tubes for the first time. There is one medication that they must wean her off, she can't continue to receive it any more; Nitric....something like that. They've tried before to get her off this, but she reacted negatively. She still needs your prayers...right now she is going through withdrawel symptoms which is hard ( to see her suffer.)
This is a baby that "coded" three times two weeks ago, so her healing is truly miraculous!
Thanks again for your concern.
Christine Ann
|
|
|
Current time is 11:16 am | |
|
|
