FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS

A blessing of pets at Holy Trinity parish in Johnstown was a celebration of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of animals. (Nate Whitchurch photos)

LIST OF ANIMAL BLESSINGS

Blessings of pets, stuffed animals and even farm animals have been taking place all over the Albany Diocese for the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals—as well as ecology, archaeologists, merchants, messengers and metal workers.

Immaculate Conception in Hoosick Falls offered cider and doughnuts to pet owners along with treats for pets; donations were collected at St. Henry’s in Averill Park for the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society.

Still coming up are more animal blessings:

OCT. 4
•  10 a.m., Blessed Sacrament, Bolton Landing
•  6 p.m., Cathedral, Albany; St. Stanislaus, Amsterdam; St. Joseph’s, Dolgeville; Our Lady Queen of Peace, Schenectady; Sacred Heart, Troy (school playground)

OCT. 5
•  6 p.m., St. Matthew’s, Voorheesville (social hall entrance)

OCT. 6
•  10:30 a.m.- 1 p.m., Corpus Christi, Round Lake
•  11 a.m., St. Thomas, Delmar (collecting pet supplies and refundable cans and bottles for animal shelters); St. Edward’s, Clifton Park (also awards)
•  noon, St. Stephen’s Church, Hagaman
•  2 p.m., St. Patrick’s, Ravena (front plaza of church)
•  3 p.m., Our Lady of Hope, Fort Plain

OCT. 7
•  noon, St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s, Hudson Falls
•  1 p.m., St. Joseph’s, Greenwich
•  1:30 p.m., Immaculate Conception, Glenville (collecting pet food for Animal Protection Foundation)
•  2 p.m., St. Luke’s, Schenectady
•  3 p.m., Hancock Town Square (by Rev. Daniel Quinn of St. Paul’s parish)