Religion
- Last Updated on Sunday, 29 October 2017 02:25
By Paul Chasko
Animals of all kinds, big and small, showed up on the grounds of Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Finleyville on October 8 to be blessed by Bishop William J. Waltersheid.
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| Deacon Vic Satter (right) assists Bishop Waltersheid with the blessings. |
History tells us that St. Francis of Assisi loved animals and often brought them food and cared for them. In fact, he is known as the patron saint of animals. An unusual custom has grown out of St. Francis’s fondness for animals. Whenever a bishop visits St. Francis Church in Finleyville (most always on the day of Confirmation), he is asked to bless the animals that are brought on the grounds of the church.
On October 8, Bishop Waltersheid upheld this custom. The lawns next to St. Francis Finley Hall were crowded with big dogs, little dogs, short dogs, tall dogs, cats in cages and smaller critters in boxes. Bishop Winters blessed them all.
Rev. William Miller, the new Administrator of St. Francis Church, was on hand, as was Rev. Richard Tusky (Parochial Vicar) and Deacon Vick Satter.
Members of Council 13832 of the Knights of Columbus spent the afternoon preparing grilled hot dogs for all who showed up with their pets; the pets got their fair share of hot dogs as well.
Click on Gallery to see more photos of this event
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Animals31.jpg – The Bishop blesses a pair of boxers.
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