All creatures great and small may be blessed

Blessed Kateri held its annual Blessing of the Animals, a ritual held each year close to the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology. The event was open to any one who wanted Father Rice to bless their pet. Friends with fur, feathers and fins gathered with their human companions for a special blessing of the animals at Our Lady of the Lake Church on Tuesday, Oct. 4. “The event brings families together in a peaceful, prayerful way,” said Linda O’Connell, one of the parishioner volunteers. Adults and children came by with dogs, cats, pet fish, and even chickens, to be blessed by Reverend David McDonnell, Pastor, and Reverend Greg Golba, Associate Pastor. Both pastors prayed for the animals, and then blessed them with holy water. Following the blessings, the owners and their pets received biscuits, bird seeds, and other treats.