PUBLISHED Oct. 6, 2016
At Saint Anne Catholic Church:
The animals are blessed
By MITCH TRAPHAGEN
Each year near the time of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Animals, Father John McEvoy, pastor of Saint Anne Catholic Church in Ruskin, welcomes parishioner’s furry and feathered friends to receive a special blessing. On Saturday, Oct. 1, several dozen people and quadrupeds turned out for that blessing.
There is little question that the felines, canines and even a couple of guinea pigs sensed the warm and gentle nature of the smiling robed man approaching them. But when Father McElvoy sprinkled them with holy water, some reacted with surprise while a few wanted another splash on the warm morning (the second sprinkling was obliged).
The cat took a swipe, the big German shepherd cried, but all of them appeared to appreciate the importance of the event to their human companions. And through it all Father McEvoy smiled and gently approached each animal. According to the Book of Blessings, animals share in Christ’s redemption of all of God’s creation.
In an increasingly diverse nation, animals also provide a common thread in sharing our homes. According to the 2012 U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are more than 43 million dogs and 36 million cats living in households across the nation.
To their human companions, they are already a blessing and on Saturday, Father McElvoy blessed them anew. And none were asked of their religious affiliation — Saint Anne Church stressed that pets need not be Catholic to receive the blessing.
Saint Anne Catholic Church is at 106 11th Ave. N.E. in Ruskin. For information visit their website at SaintAnneRuskin.org.
