Father Houk to lead blessing of the animals

By Andy Morgan

St. John’s Episcopal Church invites all animal lovers and owners — along with their pets — to the annual Blessing of the Animals this Saturday, Oct. 4, at noon. The church is located at 848 Harter Road.

The service is a reminder of the shared compassion for all of God’s creatures and the blessings they are in people’s lives. In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, pets receive a blessing and confirmation from their owners that all of God’s creatures are cherished and beloved. St. Francis was an Italian poet and Catholic friar who founded the religious order of the Franciscans. Francis is associated with patronage of animals and the environment. 

Father David Houk (pictured), church rector, said anyone with a pet of any kind is invited. Treats will be provided for all creatures, great and small, and humans, too.