Pastor Rich is offering a “Blessing of the Animals” service on Saturday, October 1st at 11:00 AM  This will be a brief, 15 minute service taking place in the front parking lot of the church (on the corner of Storer St. and Mechanic St.). The service is open to the community.

Early October is an ideal time for such a service, given that the feast day for St. Francis of Assisi falls on October 4th. One of the things St. Francis was especially known for was his great love for animals and the environment.

Participants are encouraged to bring their pet(s) with them to the service, though also welcome to attend and receive a blessing on behalf of their pet(s) if being in a crowd with other animals poses any difficulty, or if traveling to the church isn’t feasible. Pets must be leashed or in a carrier.

 “Our pets are wonderful companions, and often help us to appreciate the significance of unconditional love in our life, which is the greatest gift we receive from God,” said Rev. Horner. “It is important for us to give thanks to God for the animals with which God has blessed us, and to be reminded of our calling to be a blessing to our pets through the care and love we share with them.”