Born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, informally named Francesco, St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) was an Italian Catholic friar, deacon, and preacher. He founded the men’s Order of Friars Minor, the women’s Order of St. Clare, the Third Order of St. Francis, and the Custody of the Holy Land. He is the patron Saint of the environment and animals because he loved all creatures, and it is said he even preached to birds.
The following parishes have announced pet blessings in remembrance of St. Francis, whose feast day is Oct. 4.
Assumption BVM, Bethlehem – Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m., Deacon Don Elliott will bless animals in the garden area next to the Hanlon Center.
Assumption BVM, Slatington – Sunday, Oct. 4, noon, parking lot; all pets must be leashed/crated; please be prepared to clean up any messes.
Divine Mercy, Shenandoah – Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m., Divine Mercy parking lot.
Holy Family, Nazareth – Saturday, Oct. 3, noon; Father Jason Stokes will bless your pets on the church lawn; all animals must be leashed or crated; if canceled due to rain, it will be posted on our Facebook page by 9 a.m.
Holy Guardian Angels, Reading – Friday, Oct. 2 and Sunday, Oct. 4; Friday for school families, 9 a.m., in front of the school; Sunday for parish families, 1 p.m., in front of the chapel; if we need to bless an animal in a vehicle, we will be happy to do so; all animals must be leashed, caged, or contained as applicable; questions, call the rectory 610-921-2729.
Holy Infancy, Bethlehem – Sunday, Oct. 4, after noon Mass.
Immaculate Conception, Douglassville – Sunday, Oct. 4, 2 p.m., in front of the church.
Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally – Saturday, Oct. 3, 5:30 p.m., parking lot of the church, Father Richard James will give the blessing.
Notre Dame of Bethlehem – Sunday, Oct. 4, 2 p.m., at the Blessed Mother Grotto; a fair-weather event, if it rains, we will cancel.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem – Sunday, Oct. 4, 1 p.m.
Sacred Heart, Palmerton – Sunday, Oct. 4, noon, church parking lot, Father Michael Mullins will bless the animals; to maintain safety, we ask that pets be leashed or in cages if necessary; questions, rectory office 610-826-2335.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bath – Friday, Oct. 2, 8:45 a.m., parking lot; Father Christopher Butera will give the blessing; questions, parish office 610-762-3674.
SS. Simon and Jude, Bethlehem – Saturday, Oct. 3, 1 p.m., lawn between the church and rectory; Monsignor William Baver will give the blessing.
St. Anne, Bethlehem – Friday, Oct. 2, 2 p.m., parking lot; Father Giuseppe Esposito and Father Anh Mai will give the blessing.
St. Benedict, Mohnton – Saturday, Oct. 3, noon, in our “barking” lot.
St. Charles Borromeo, Ashland and St. Joseph the Worker, Frackville – Sunday, Oct. 4, 3 p.m., St. Joseph the Worker Grove in Frackville; Father Christopher Zelonis will give the blessing.
St. Columbkill, Boyertown – Sunday, Oct. 4, 11:30 a.m., parking lot, Deacon Jim Kochu will give the blessing.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Pen Argyl – Sunday, Oct. 4, noon, in front of the church; Monsignor Thomas Koons will impart a special blessing in honor of St. Francis and St. Anthony for anyone who would like to have their pet blessed.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall – Friday, Oct. 2, 7:45 a.m.; Father Joseph Kweder will give the blessing; all pets must be on a leash or in a carrier; if it rains, it will be moved to the parish hall.
St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring – Sunday, Oct. 4, 2 p.m., behind the rectory.
St. John Fisher, Catasauqua – Sunday, Oct. 4, 1 p.m., on the green between the church and the rectory, all animals and even their owners are welcome.
St. Joseph, Sheppton – Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m.
St. Joseph, Summit Hill – Saturday, Oct. 3, noon, church parking lot, all pets are welcome to be blessed, all pets must remain in the custody of their owners; if we need to bless an animal in the car, we will be happy to do so.
St. Joseph the Worker, Frackville and St. Charles Borromeo, Ashland – Sunday, Oct. 4, 3 p.m., St. Joseph the Worker Grove in Frackville; Father Christopher Zelonis will give the blessing.
St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield – Sunday, Oct. 4, 12:30 p.m., near the three-car garage/church parking lot; in case of rain under the canopy; please keep pets under control of owners by leash, crate, or carrier.
St. Mary, Ringtown – Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.
St. Nicholas, Walnutport – Saturday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m.
St. Patrick, Pottsville – Saturday, Oct. 3, noon, St. Patrick “barking” lot, Mahantongo Street; join Father John Pendzick and parish pet Dusty Rose with your dogs, cats, fish, reptiles, and other pets.
St. Peter, Coplay – Sunday, Oct. 4, 1 p.m., on the convent grounds.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, Mahanoy City – Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m., by the St. Cecelia yard (Catawissa Street); Father Kevin Gallagher will bless the animals; all four-legged, furry, slithering, slithery, oinking, or barking animals are welcome.
St. Thomas More, Allentown – Monday, Oct. 5, 6 p.m., on the circle in front of the church; please have all pets crated or leashed.
Photo: “Francis of Assisi Preaching to the Birds” by Antonio Carnicero, 1788-89.
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