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Occasions for the blessing of animals are coming up, as the Feast of St. Francis approaches. (Image by artist Tatiana Grant.) |
Plainfield pets are extra blessed -- with several opportunities for a special blessing coming up as we approach the feast day of St. Francis (October 4), patron of pets, animals and the environment.
This Sunday (September 24), pets and their caretakers are invited to take part in a service at the United Church of Christ - Congregational, being led by Pastor Damaris Ortega. The service gets under way at 10:30 AM. All are invited.
Grace Episcopal Church will celebrate its service of blessing of animals on Saturday, October 1, at 10:30 AM in the church's Ackerman Garden at East 7th Street and Cleveland Avenue.
But the granddaddy of all Plainfield celebrations of animals is the annual FOSH Celebration of Animals, set for Sunday, October 2 at Leland Avenue Park. This year marks the 17th annual event, to which the whole community is invited.
Pets and their owners gather in large numbers as representatives of various faith traditions invoke blessings on them. There are always treats for the animals and an opportunity to mix and mingle for the people who accompany them.
When thinking of bringing your pet to an event, organiziers aks that you keep both your pet's and other's comfort in mind: if your pet is too loud, or too squirmy, or does not get along well with other animals, consider giving them an extra treat and leaving them at home.
We should also bear in mind that in remembering St. Francis, the blessing of animals is the easy part. The more demanding part is modeling our own lives on his pattern of simplicity of living and care for all creation.
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