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Tail of gold: St. Francis of Assisi honored with annual pet blessing at St. Ann’s

PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette To commemorate and honor St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environmen, churches throughout the county and the world celebrate his feast day during the first week of October. An annual Blessing of the Pets ceremony was held Sunday under a pavilion at St. Ann Catholic Church in Loyalsock Township. The service was conducted by Deacon Stephen Frye, seen here blessing Stella, 13, with holy water. With Stella is his owner, Mike Kuecker and his daughter, Roselyn, of Loyalsock Township.
PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette Jessica Renninger, of Bastress Township, with son, Brandon, and daughter, Josephine, with their 12-week-old dog, Ariel
PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette Deacon Frye sprinkles holy water on 2-year-old Smuchie as owner Eugene Ryder, of Williamsport, looks on.
PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette The annual service was conducted by Deacon Stephen Frye, who before blessing the animals with holy water, read a series of prayers to the estimated 15 to 20 people who brought their animals to the ceremony. The number of dogs clearly outnumbered the cats as they usually do each year.
PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette Jennifer Frye, wife of Deacon Stephen Frye, with their 6-year-old dog, Frankie.

To commemorate and honor St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment, churches throughout the county and the world celebrate his feast day during the first week of October. An annual Blessing of the Pets ceremony was held recently under a pavilion at St. Ann Catholic Church in Loyalsock Township. The service was conducted by Deacon Stephen Frye.

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