Dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, even goats – members of parishes across the Diocese of Charlotte brought their furry friends to church for a blessing in commemoration of the feast of St. Francis earlier this month.
Pictured with Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, pastor, outside St. Pius X Church in Greensboro is Brendan Queen with his dog Stewie. (Photo provided by Liz Pendergrass)
St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Jefferson held its annual Blessing of the Animals Oct. 4. (Patrick Hession | Catholic News Herald)
Father Paul Dechant, pastor, led a Blessing of Animals outside Holy Cross Church in Kernersville. Using a special bowl with holy water, he blessed parishioners’ pets, including Maximus and Odysseus, owned by Joanna Ruiz and her daughter Evelyn. (John Buny
Our Lady of Mercy Church families celebrated the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment, with a Blessing of Animals Oct. 4. (Photos provided by Father Carl Zdancewicz)
Many families brought their pets to be blessed, including dogs, cats, bunnies, a hamster and two goats. Franciscan Father Joseph Angelini, pastor emeritus, helped in the blessing of animals.
Deacon Ron Sherwood blessed parishioners and their pets at St. Mark Church in Huntersville Oct. 7. Deacon Sherwood began – over the sound of yelps, barks and chirps – by saying, “We are blessed to have all of these beautiful animals with us today,” and th
St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville held its annual Blessing of Animals ceremony with Father Thomas Kessler, pastor, in front of the church Sept. 30. (Photo provided by Connie Ries)
Sacred Heart Catholic School hosted their annual Blessing of the Animals. (Photos provided by Robin Fisher) Here is Osmar Monroy with his guinea pig.
All the furry, fluffy and scaley friends came for a blessing in honor of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Animals and Ecology. Here is Simon Mueller and his chicken.
Sacred Heart students brought puppies, kittens, fish, hamsters, rabbits, a chicken and a mouse. Here is Cielo Trujillo and her dog.
Angie Landaverde and her dog.
Scott and Ellen Whittington with their daughters Bree and Holly
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