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Published Friday, October 03, 2008 in Religion
Local churches blessing animals this weekend
The Times-Herald
Area churches will be remembering the ministry of St. Francis of Assisi -- and welcoming four-footed friends to Blessing of Animals ceremonies -- this weekend.
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church is one of the area congregations that will hold a Blessing of the Animals service. That service will start at 10 a.m. today in the front gathering area of the church at 3 Village Road.
Marie Mulvenna, who helps with publicity at St. Mary Magdalene, said the church is welcoming "dogs, cats, feathered friends, goats, llamas, guinea pigs, snakes and farm animals of all sorts."
Saturday is the feast day for St. Francis on the liturgical calendar.
"The yearly blessing of pets honors St. Francis of Assisi, who is revered worldwide for his deep affection and devotion for all of God's creatures," Mulvenna said. "Statues of the saint are popular garden focal points because he is always pictured with an animal or bird."
Francis, who lived in the 13th century, was "the founder of the Franciscan Order of Friars, which has more than 20,000 religious members worldwide," Mulvenna explained.
Hopewell United Methodist Church will also hold its Blessing of the Animals service today at 10 a.m. Hopewell Methodist is at 351 Jenkins Road in Tyrone, across from Sandy Creek High School.
Two Coweta churches also have animal blessing services set for Sunday. Both St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Roscoe Road and Moreland United Methodist Church will hold their services Sunday at 4 p.m.
Information distributed to St. Paul's members reminds pet owners that they are responsible for cleaning up "accidents." Pet owners are also welcome to come for a blessing for their pet, while leaving Fido or Muffin at home.
Because all sorts of animals are brought to such services, owners should always make sure their pet is on a leash or in a pet carrier.
At St. Paul's, the names of pets who have died during the past year will be remembered. Pet owners will be given a certificate to commemorate the blessing of their pet at the Episcopal church.