Open Air Blessing Of Animals Celebrates Canine, Feline Friends

They came by twos, dogs and their owners, cats and their owners, for a Blessing of the Animals last Saturday on the patio behind Swift Community Center. Everyone was well behaved – even the people – for the service, which was led by of St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

The Feast of St. Francis was Oct. 4. St. Francis is known as the patron saint of animals, so animal blessings are often done near that date. This was the first blessing in several years for St. Luke's and the first perhaps ever on Academy Field, but it provided a perfect spot to let the animals be animals.

Fr. Tim said he plans to make it an annual event, open to all dogs and their owners.