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The annual Blessing of Animals service was held Sunday at many churches locally and throughout the world. These photos were taken at St. Ann Catholic Church on Northway Road in Loyalsock Township, where the Rev. John Chmil, church pastor, conducted such a service, which included prayers, a reading from scripture and the blessing of pets with holy water. It was all part of celebrating the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. The feast is celebrated each year on Oct. 4. More than a dozen people attended the service at St. Ann, bringing their dogs, cats and even a bunny to receive blessings from the priest.