PET BLESSING AT CHRIST OUR LIGHT

October 7, 2026 at 8:46 a.m.

Stacey Gilchrist holds Angel, a border-collie mix, while receiving holy water from Deacon Richard Thiesen during the Pet Blessing and Adoption Clinic on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Christ Our Light Church in Loudonville. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

A cat named Sunset sniffs the end of the aspergillum before Deacon Richard Thiesen sprinkles her with holy water during the Pet Blessing and Adoption Clinic on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Christ Our Light Church in Loudonville. Sunset’s owner Carol Hocheson, (r.), found the cat near a dumpster while she was traveling across the U.S.A. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist). **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

Harry (l.), and his big brother Coco wear ties for the occasion during the Pet Blessing and Adoption Clinic on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Christ Our Light Church in Loudonville. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

Deacon Richard Thiesen with the help of Joshua Obermayer, 5, walks among the pets to sprinkle them with holy water during the Pet Blessing and Adoption Clinic on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Christ Our Light Church in Loudonville. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

A pet ferret is present to receive holy water during the Pet Blessing and Adoption Clinic on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Christ Our Light Church in Loudonville. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

A couple holds their poodle mix to receive holy water during the Pet Blessing and Adoption Clinic on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Christ Our Light Church in Loudonville. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

Deacon Richard Thiesen, center, with the help of Joshua Obermayer, 5, prepares to sprinkle holy water during the Pet Blessing and Adoption Clinic on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Christ Our Light Church in Loudonville. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

Christ Our Light Church in Loudonville held its annual “Pet Blessing” in honor of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi on Oct. 4. After the blessing, the church held its first pet adoption clinic with three adoption groups: Mountain Rottie Rescue, which had numerous pets there including three which came in that day from Kentucky, Montgomery County SPCA, which had one pet, and Hop on Home Rabbit Rescue from Glens Falls, which brought three bunnies that were being fostered in Altamont. Saint Rocco’s Pet Treats, which sells human-grade dog treats, meal toppers and food, also had a table set up, as did The Animal Support Project which offers free or at-cost services such as vaccinations, grooming, boarding and pet supplies with the goal of keeping animals and their owners together. The event continues to grow bigger each year and Deacon Richard Thiesen, Parish Life Director, had the idea to add the adoption clinic this year to further the church’s outreach efforts.