The beloved tradition took place in the Diocese of Albany in celebration of World Animal Day on Oct. 4, which coincided with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. At the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany, the blessing, done by Father Kyle Eads, happened on the rectory lawn with social distancing and masks required. At the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville, the annual blessing was done by Father Jerome Gingras in a drive-through format with 30 cars. Donations for the Animal Protective Foundation in Schenectady were collected and certificates were given to each family, and a St. Francis medal and a treat were given to each animal in the event coordinated by Rachel Winters. Father Jerry Gingras with his rescue dog, Gracie Joy. Photo provided.
The beloved tradition took place in the Diocese of Albany in celebration of World Animal Day on Oct. 4, which coincided with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. At the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany, the blessing, done by Father Kyle Eads, happened on the rectory lawn with social distancing and masks required. At the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville, the annual blessing was done by Father Jerome Gingras in a drive-through format with 30 cars. Donations for the Animal Protective Foundation in Schenectady were collected and certificates were given to each family, and a St. Francis medal and a treat were given to each animal in the event coordinated by Rachel Winters. Father Jerry Gingras blesses Coldon, with owners Sandy and Christine Heitkamp. Photo provided.
The beloved tradition took place in the Diocese of Albany in celebration of World Animal Day on Oct. 4, which coincided with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. At the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany, the blessing, done by Father Kyle Eads, happened on the rectory lawn with social distancing and masks required. At the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville, the annual blessing was done by Father Jerome Gingras in a drive-through format with 30 cars. Donations for the Animal Protective Foundation in Schenectady were collected and certificates were given to each family, and a St. Francis medal and a treat were given to each animal in the event coordinated by Rachel Winters. Pugsley Perry receiving his blessing from Father Jerry Gingras. Photo provided.
The beloved tradition took place in the Diocese of Albany in celebration of World Animal Day on Oct. 4, which coincided with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. At the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany, the blessing, done by Father Kyle Eads, happened on the rectory lawn with social distancing and masks required. At the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville, the annual blessing was done by Father Jerome Gingras in a drive-through format with 30 cars. Donations for the Animal Protective Foundation in Schenectady were collected and certificates were given to each family, and a St. Francis medal and a treat were given to each animal in the event coordinated by Rachel Winters. Father Kyle Eads blesses the animals at Mater Christi. Cindy Schultz photo
The beloved tradition took place in the Diocese of Albany in celebration of World Animal Day on Oct. 4, which coincided with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. At the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany, the blessing, done by Father Kyle Eads, happened on the rectory lawn with social distancing and masks required. At the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville, the annual blessing was done by Father Jerome Gingras in a drive-through format with 30 cars. Donations for the Animal Protective Foundation in Schenectady were collected and certificates were given to each family, and a St. Francis medal and a treat were given to each animal in the event coordinated by Rachel Winters. Father Kyle Eads blesses a wary pooch at Mater Christ with the help of Jasper Stoller, pastoral associate. Cindy Schultz photo
The beloved tradition took place in the Diocese of Albany in celebration of World Animal Day on Oct. 4, which coincided with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. At the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany, the blessing, done by Father Kyle Eads, happened on the rectory lawn with social distancing and masks required. At the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville, the annual blessing was done by Father Jerome Gingras in a drive-through format with 30 cars. Donations for the Animal Protective Foundation in Schenectady were collected and certificates were given to each family, and a St. Francis medal and a treat were given to each animal in the event coordinated by Rachel Winters. Daniel Bergin holds Scooter, the family’s beloved pet, as Father Kyle Eads does the blessing. Cindy Schultz photo
The beloved tradition took place in the Diocese of Albany in celebration of World Animal Day on Oct. 4, which coincided with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. At the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany, the blessing, done by Father Kyle Eads, happened on the rectory lawn with social distancing and masks required. At the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville, the annual blessing was done by Father Jerome Gingras in a drive-through format with 30 cars. Donations for the Animal Protective Foundation in Schenectady were collected and certificates were given to each family, and a St. Francis medal and a treat were given to each animal in the event coordinated by Rachel Winters. Father Kyle Eads does the blessing. Cindy Schultz photo
The beloved tradition took place in the Diocese of Albany in celebration of World Animal Day on Oct. 4, which coincided with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. At the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany, the blessing, done by Father Kyle Eads, happened on the rectory lawn with social distancing and masks required. At the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville, the annual blessing was done by Father Jerome Gingras in a drive-through format with 30 cars. Donations for the Animal Protective Foundation in Schenectady were collected and certificates were given to each family, and a St. Francis medal and a treat were given to each animal in the event coordinated by Rachel Winters. Barbara Collins (second from r.), tries to keep Bo, her rambunctious 5-month-old puppy, in check. Cindy Schultz photo
The beloved tradition took place in the Diocese of Albany in celebration of World Animal Day on Oct. 4, which coincided with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. At the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany, the blessing, done by Father Kyle Eads, happened on the rectory lawn with social distancing and masks required. At the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville, the annual blessing was done by Father Jerome Gingras in a drive-through format with 30 cars. Donations for the Animal Protective Foundation in Schenectady were collected and certificates were given to each family, and a St. Francis medal and a treat were given to each animal in the event coordinated by Rachel Winters. Addison Sebeck-Koss, 5, pets her 16-year-old dog, Shilo, during the Blessing of the Animals at Mater Christi. Cindy Schultz photo
The beloved tradition took place in the Diocese of Albany in celebration of World Animal Day on Oct. 4, which coincided with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. At the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany, the blessing, done by Father Kyle Eads, happened on the rectory lawn with social distancing and masks required. At the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville, the annual blessing was done by Father Jerome Gingras in a drive-through format with 30 cars. Donations for the Animal Protective Foundation in Schenectady were collected and certificates were given to each family, and a St. Francis medal and a treat were given to each animal in the event coordinated by Rachel Winters. Julie Hess holds Gretel, her hound-mix and emotional support friend, as she sounds off. Cindy Schultz photo
The beloved tradition took place in the Diocese of Albany in celebration of World Animal Day on Oct. 4, which coincided with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. At the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany, the blessing, done by Father Kyle Eads, happened on the rectory lawn with social distancing and masks required. At the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville, the annual blessing was done by Father Jerome Gingras in a drive-through format with 30 cars. Donations for the Animal Protective Foundation in Schenectady were collected and certificates were given to each family, and a St. Francis medal and a treat were given to each animal in the event coordinated by Rachel Winters. Parishoners’ pets greet each other before the start of the Blessing of the Animals at Mater Christi. Cindy Schultz photo
The beloved tradition took place in the Diocese of Albany in celebration of World Animal Day on Oct. 4, which coincided with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. At the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany, the blessing, done by Father Kyle Eads, happened on the rectory lawn with social distancing and masks required. At the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville, the annual blessing was done by Father Jerome Gingras in a drive-through format with 30 cars. Donations for the Animal Protective Foundation in Schenectady were collected and certificates were given to each family, and a St. Francis medal and a treat were given to each animal in the event coordinated by Rachel Winters. Parishioner Carla Philippbar holds her Boston Terrier, Zoey, as Father Kyle Eads blesses her during the Blessing of the Animals at the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany. Cindy Schultz photo
