This year, October 4, the feast of St. Francis, fell on a Sunday. For us, that meant that Fr. Jose scheduled the annual Blessing of the Animals for the day before. The "pandemic times" as they are, we weren't able to have our usual treats of apple cider and munchkins, but it seemed as the the animals (and their owners) enjoyed the blessing as much as they always do.
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Fr. Jose began with a simple reading at the entrance to the church
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A smaller crowd than usual, but still nice to see people getting out.
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Our banner is hanging on a music stand in front of the table so it wouldn't blow away in the wind.
Ruth & Kathy brought dog and cat treats while Steve provided pre-packaged animal crackers. |
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No song sheets this year, so Steve just sang a few verses of All Creatures of Our God and King.
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There was an official photographer from the Catholic Free Press, so hopefully some of the ceremony will be in the next issue. Steve also stayed for an additional blessing for the
Capilla Santisima Trinidad (Leominster Hispanic Apostolate) which followed shortly after the first one.
