‘All creatures great and small’: Community pets are blessed for annual Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
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Kittens as young as 6-weeks-old and a dog as old as 14 were among the animals that were blessed with holy water at the recent Pet Blessing for the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi that is held this time each year at St. Ann Catholic Church in Loyalsock Township. Besides dogs and cats, a couple of reptiles also were blessed. Such pet blessing ceremonies are held at churches throughout the community and the world to honor St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment, whose feast day is celebrated at the beginning of October. Deacon Steve Frye conducted the brief service at the church's outdoor pavilion. Some participants included: Karen Buchheit, her dog Chubbs and an armful of kittens; Loyalsock Animal Hospital's Dr. April Osterhoudt and her chameleon, Peeka; Marilyn Kurvejewski, her daughter Gina Edwards and Gina's pup, Avery; and Tyler Berkey with Lily.