Blessing of the animals
September 30, 2021
Connie & Teddi Ann......Priest Anne Cheffey gives an adoring Teddi Ann her blessing while proud Mom Connie Johnson holds her tight.
Pets of all faiths are welcome.
It is a long held tradition for St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Kimberling City, MO to have a unique service where pets are welcomed to come to church, receive a blessing for themselves and their humans and go home with treats. It is held every October 4th and is at 5:30 on a Monday this year. On October 4th the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is celebrated all over the world. St. Francis was the founder of the Franciscan Order, one of the most important Catholic orders in history for both frati (brothers) and soure (sisters), who dedicated themselves to poverty, solitude and prayer. St. Francis claimed that the natural world was given to us as a gift from God, and was therefore not only good, but imbued with God himself. He believed nature should be celebrated and revered, and moreover, that human beings were not here to dominate and control nature or animals, but to live with them in harmony and care for them. This service is to honor St. Francis' memory and show our pets how much we care. To all pets attending: Have your human park in the church lot facing the front of the church. If your human has been socialized and has clean-up supplies with them you may walk them on a leash to visit other puppies and cats (in carriers, please) before the service. Church humans will pass out bulletins to follow with the service and after the service have your human drive you to the front and "paws" while our Priest blesses you and your family and gives you treats to take home.
It is a long held tradition for St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Kimberling City, MO to have a unique service where pets are welcomed to come to church, receive a blessing for themselves and their humans and go home with treats. It is held every October 4th and is at 5:30 on a Monday this year. On October 4th the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is celebrated all over the world. St. Francis was the founder of the Franciscan Order, one of the most important Catholic orders in history for both frati (brothers) and soure (sisters), who dedicated themselves to poverty, solitude and prayer. St. Francis claimed that the natural world was given to us as a gift from God, and was therefore not only good, but imbued with God himself. He believed nature should be celebrated and revered, and moreover, that human beings were not here to dominate and control nature or animals, but to live with them in harmony and care for them. This service is to honor St. Francis' memory and show our pets how much we care. To all pets attending: Have your human park in the church lot facing the front of the church. If your human has been socialized and has clean-up supplies with them you may walk them on a leash to visit other puppies and cats (in carriers, please) before the service. Church humans will pass out bulletins to follow with the service and after the service have your human drive you to the front and "paws" while our Priest blesses you and your family and gives you treats to take home.