Religion
- Last Updated on Friday, 30 October 2015 00:38
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 4 to be blessed by Bishop William J. Winter.
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| The big and the small are all blessed by the Bishop. |
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 4, Bishop Winters upheld this custom. The lawns next to St. Francis Finley Hall was crowded with big dogs, little dogs, short dogs, tall dogs, cats in cages and a horse. Bishop Winters blessed them all.
Click on "Gallery" to see more photos of this event by Paul Chasko.
