The following parishes have announced pet blessings in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226), whose feast day is Oct. 4.
Born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, informally named Francesco, he 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 the birds.
Annunciation BVM (St. Mary), Catasauqua – Sunday, Oct. 1, 12:30 p.m., parking lot, pets must be leashed or in a carrier.
Assumption BVM, Northampton – Saturday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m., rectory lawn, 22nd Street and Lincoln Avenue, blessing after brief prayer service; bring dogs, cats, birds, and other pets to this celebration; please make sure animals are leashed or caged for their safety.
Assumption BVM, Slatington – Sunday, Oct. 1, noon, church parking lot.
Divine Mercy, Shenandoah – Sunday, Oct. 1, 11:15 a.m., St. Casimir, 229 N. Jardin St., parking lot.
Holy Family, Nazareth – Wednesday, Oct. 4, 10:45 and 11:15 a.m., parking lot, 410 W. Center St., animals must be leashed or crated; if cancelled due to weather, will be posted on our Facebook page by 10 a.m.
Holy Guardian Angels, Reading – Wednesday, Oct. 4; 9 a.m. for school families, meet in front of school; 6:15 p.m. for parish family, meet by chapel; all animals are welcomed to be blessed; 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; this year the St. Vincent de Paul Society is partnering with our school in support of the students’ fall service project; animal supplies will be collected and donated to Animal Rescue League and Humane Society; items include dry dog and cat food, canned dog and cat food, canned kitten food, soft dog treats, and cat treats; wish list at www.berksarl.org/wishlist-2/; questions Tricia Christ 610-921-2729 ext. 2202 or tchrist@hgaparish.com.
Immaculate Conception, Douglassville – Saturday, Oct. 7, 3:30 p.m., in front of church.
Immaculate Conception, Jim Thorpe – Sunday, Oct. 1, noon, parking lot, 180 W. Broadway; in the spirit of St. Francis, we will bless all pets, animals, and creatures of love.
Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally – Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2:30 p.m., school parking lot, St. Francis Classical Catholic Academy, 668 Pine St.
Queenship of Mary, Northampton – Sunday, Oct. 8, noon, in front of convent, behind church, 1324 Newport Ave., blessing after brief prayer service; bring dogs, cats, birds, and other pets to this celebration; please make sure animals are leashed or caged for their safety.
Sacred Heart, Palmerton – Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2:15 p.m., church parking lot.
Sacred Heart, West Reading – Wednesday, Oct. 4, 6 p.m., in front of church; Blessed are you, Lord Our God, in all your creatures.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bath – Wednesday, Oct. 4, noon, church parking lot, rain or shine.
St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven – Sunday, Oct. 1, noon, in front of parish center; for the peacefulness of all, be sure your beloved pet is leashed or caged; in event of inclement weather, please remain in car and drive around church circle, and Monsignor Edward Zemanik will bless your pet in the car; during October, we will be accepting donations of pet food and supplies for Hillside SPCA.
St. Anne, Bethlehem – Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2 p.m., parish parking lot, please have pets on a leash or caged for safety of all present.
St. Benedict, Mohnton – Sunday, Oct. 1, 12:30 p.m.
St. Catharine of Siena, Reading – Saturday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m., pavilion, 4975 Boyertown Pike.
St. Charles Borromeo, Ashland and St. Joseph the Worker, Frackville – Sunday, Oct. 8, 2 p.m., grove behind St. Joseph the Worker.
St. Columbkill, Boyertown – Sunday, Oct. 8, 11:30 a.m., parking lot.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Pen Argyl – Sunday, Oct. 8, 12:15 p.m., in front of church.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall – Wednesday, Oct. 4, 7:45 a.m., main parking lot at 435 Pershing Blvd., please keep animals in cage or on leash, 610-266-0695 ext. 208.
St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown – Wednesday, Oct. 4, 6:30 p.m., church parking lot, rain or shine; please all animals be under control of their owners by leash, or in a crate or carrier; this is a wonderful opportunity to do something special for those creatures of God that bring us such joy; St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
St. John Baptist de la Salle, Shillington – Sunday, Oct. 1, noon, parking lot behind church.
St. John Fisher, North Catasauqua – Sunday, Oct. 8, 1 p.m., on green between church and rectory; all animals, and even their owners, are welcome.
St. John the Baptist, Whitehall – Sunday, Oct. 1, after 10:30 a.m. Mass, church parking lot, behind church, weather permitting; please have all pets under control, via leash, crate, etc.
St. Joseph, Coopersburg – Saturday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m., under pavilion, all pets must be leashed and/or crated, and under control of an adult owner; a wonderful opportunity to do something special for those creatures of God that bring us such joy; www.stjoescoopersburg.org.
St. Joseph, Jim Thorpe – Sunday, Oct. 1, 12:30 p.m., courtyard, 526 North St.; in the spirit of St. Francis; we will bless all pets, animals, and creatures of love.
St. Joseph, Sheppton – Saturday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m.
St. Joseph the Worker, Frackville and St. Charles Borromeo, Ashland – Sunday, Oct. 8, 2 p.m., grove behind St. Joseph the Worker.
St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield – Sunday, Oct. 1, 1 p.m., by three-car garage.
St. Mary, Ringtown – Saturday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m.
St. Nicholas, Walnutport – Sunday, Oct. 1, 12:30 p.m., parking lot.
St. Patrick, Pottsville – Sunday, Oct. 1, 2 p.m., church “barking” lot, Mahantongo Street; join Father Philip Rodgers with your dogs, cats, fish, reptiles, etc.
St. Peter, Coplay – Sunday, Oct. 8, 1 p.m., grounds behind Heritage Center, rain or shine, office 610-262-2417.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, Mahanoy City – Saturday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m., St. Cecilia courtyard, Catawissa Street, Father Kevin Gallagher will bless animals; all four-legged, furry, slithering, oinking, or barking animals are welcome.
St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Hellertown – Saturday, Sept. 30, 2 p.m.
St. Ursula, Fountain Hill – Sunday, Oct. 1, 1 p.m., rear parking lot, 1300 Broadway, rectory 610-867-5122.
Photo: Last year’s pet blessing at St. Anne, Bethlehem.
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