In which we talk about sheep

When #3 first caught sight of the Bishop at Mass today, he leaned over to whisper, "Hey, who's that guy with the red cap? And why does he get to bring a stick?"

Good questions. And they prompted a most lively conversation after school which may or may not have answered them in full.

#3: So, Mom said that guy was our Bishop. And he even gets to bring a stick, you know.

#2: Yeah, we know.

Me: Do you know why he has that stick?

#3: Fighting?

Me: Nope. Do you know what kind of stick it is?

#1: A shepherd's stick.

Me: Yes! It is a shepherd's stick. It's called a crosier. Do you know why shepherd's carry them?

#1: For his sheep?

#3: To fight sheep?

Me: Um. No, he doesn't fight sheep. A shepherd's stick has a big hook on the end of it, so that he can use it to catch little lambs if they walk away from the group.

#3: Why does he have sheep?

Me: He doesn't have any sheep. He is a shepherd of our church. He is the leader of all the church in the diocese of Arkansas. He doesn't take care of sheep. He takes care of the church.

#2: So, the shepherds only use the stick for baby lambs?

Me: Well, no. I suppose they use them for all sheep that get away.

#2: Yeah. Because baby sheep probably wouldn't go away. They would probably stay near with their moms.

#3: Nah, I think the little sheep could run away too fast. But, maybe he just uses it for old sheep because they are so slow. I wonder if we can see the sheep?