Queen of Heaven Church holds annual outdoor pet blessing Mass

Parishioners celebrate feast of St. Francis with prayers and individual blessings for pets during special ceremony

Published
Queen of Heaven parishioners Jim, Val and D.J. Nichols wait for Mass to begin with their three dogs: Henry, a 4-year-old mini goldendoodle held by Jim; Baily, a 6-year-old mini goldendoodle held by Val; and Molly, a 5-year-old, 80-pound German shepherd. Brother and sister Henry and Baily each weigh 30 pounds.

Parishioners and their pets gathered Oct. 5 at Queen of Heaven Church, 1800 Steese Road, for the parish’s annual “Bring Your Pets to Mass” celebration, held during the 11 a.m. outdoor service on a warm and sunny Sunday.

Parishioner Jen Slaski and her terrier-Bichon mix, Henri St. Hobo, are blessed by Queen of Heaven Pastor Rev. David Durkee, assisted by altar server Abbygayle Martin, who holds the bowl of holy water. Henri weighs 15 pounds and is 3 1/2 years old.

The special Mass honored the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, which is celebrated each year on Oct. 4. Pastor Rev. David R. Durkee led the service, reading from a liturgical book of prayerful blessings before reciting a “Blessing of the Animals” printed on holy cards featuring an image of St. Francis surrounded by animals.

After the prayer, parishioners and their pets lined up in two rows to receive individual blessings with holy water from Deacon Steve Makara and Father Durkee, assisted by altar servers. Dogs, cats and other pets received the blessing as part of the church’s long-standing tradition of honoring the bond between people and their animal companions.

For more information, visit queenofheavenparish.org or call 330-896-2345.

hartville deacon steve makara community church pet blessing rev. david r. durkee queen of heaven church st. francis of assisi

THE LATEST

LOCAL
SPORTS
Powered by
Hartville News
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
LIFE AND LEARNING

COLUMNISTS

OBITUARIES
BUSINESS
Powered by Labrador CMS