Out of All the Sheep in the Sheepfold

Frances planned our first prayer service, focusing on the Annunciation. After the reading, she invited everyone to bring to the prayer table something that spoke to her/him about Mary or angels. (She has been into angels for years.) I had planned to just watch quietly, but felt moved to get a sheep. Bekah chose the Annunciation Scripture booklet, Teresa the "Luke" book from the Bible material, and Danny the world and cross from the Gifts, because, "Christ came for the salvation of the world and forgiveness of sins." (Danny's family is involved in charismatic circles.) Keith chose the empty sheepfold, and explained, "Out of all the people in the world, God could have chosen anyone, but chose Mary as the one choice." And I had the sheep!

The Visitation

A 5-year-old child with autism received a presentation on the Visitation of Mary with Elizabeth. Afterwards, he took the figure of Mary and brought it to the sheepfold. She removed the sheep and place Mary at the center. He returned the sheep around her, then added Elizabeth.

He keeps his sheep in his heart

Bella was with her mother looking at a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and said, "That's the Good Shepherd."
Mother: How do you know?
Bella: That's Jesus and see his heart, that's where he keeps his sheep.

A mother whose children attend an atrium recounted this story about her youngest child who was not yet old enough to begin:

Kristina (5th grade), Kyle (18 months) and I were sitting on her bed. Kyle was holding a small icon picture of the Good Shepherd which had just fallen from where it had been hanging in our hallway. As far as I know Kyle had never seen it before. Kristina pointed to the Good Shepherd and said "Who is this, Kyle?" To which he responded "Mommy." I then pointed to the sheep, and asked "Who is this?" "Baby," he answered.

A short while later, my husband wanted to show us all how well Kyle knew all our names. He proceeded to ask him, "Where's Kristina?" "Where's Eric...Eliza...Mommy... Daddy?" To which Kyle pointed appropriately in turn. When asked "Where is Kyle?" he pointed to the sheep in the Good Shepherd picture he was still holding and said, "Me." I had never talked to him about the Good Shepherd.

How vividly we see the deep spiritual connection between the Good Shepherd and the child that exists and is beyond our understanding.