Pets and animals unpredictable at annual blessings

Kathie Sousa, parish life director of Blessed Sacrament Church in Bolton Landing, has a simple request: If you bring your horse to church, please bring a shovel.

Ms. Sousa is coordinating the parish's annual blessing of animals in honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of peace, animals and the environment, which falls on Oct. 4. 

Such blessings have become a popular event at many Catholic parishes and Protestant congregations. 

This year, Blessed Sacrament will hold one in conjunction with the local Methodist church.

“We have mostly dogs and cats,” Ms. Sousa said, but she added that people have also brought rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, turtles, and goldfish.

Pet by proxy

She also encourages people to bring a picture of their pet if they don't feel comfortable bringing their pet to church. Last year, Ms. Sousa brought a picture of her cat with her to the blessing of the animals at the Methodist church. 

"Sometimes cats can freak out," she said. "If you bring a picture they can receive the blessing by proxy."

Blessed Sacrament's animal blessing will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the rectory. She said the event is for animal lovers of all ages and all denominations.

While many people think of a pet blessing as being an event for children, Ms. Sousa said that last year, all in attendance were adults.

Sister Mary Mazza, CND, parish life director at St. Patrick's Church in Athens and St. Patrick's in Catskill, said offering the pet blessing is a good teachable moment for children, but agreed that people of all ages benefit from this ritual.

Grateful hearts

"We started this with the children," she said of the annual pet blessing. "Living on the river, we need to pause and appreciate God’s gift of nature. We talk to the children about being thankful to God for these gifts. But this has brought people of all generations out."

In the past people have brought cows, parrots and snakes as well as cats and dogs, Sister Mary said.

Living in an area where there are many farms, Sister Mary said animals are more than just pets for many of her parishioners. Being thankful for the animals and other aspects of God's creation is important, she said.

Howling to the choir

While animals can be unpredictable, Sister Mary said there has never been an incident during the past five years that she has been involved with the animal blessing.

"It's been my experience that the animals quiet down," she said, "although some bay while we sing."

The animals have also been well behaved at St. John the Baptist Church in Valatie during the blessing of the animals. "There's never been an incident," said Christine Murynec, assistant in the parish office. "We've had horses, ferrets, guinea pigs, cats and lizards."

Ms. Murynec described the blessing as simple, but well liked among parishioners. "The parishioners love it," she said. "It's a great opportunity for parishioners to get together and share their love of animals."

(10/2/08)