Date: Fri 10-Oct-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

schools-St-Rose-animals

Full Text:

St Francis Watches Over Blessing Of The Animals

(with photos)

BY DOROTHY EVANS

It's a lovely tradition.

Every fall, St Rose School children set aside an hour on a Friday afternoon to

gather outside under the pine trees, not only to pray for their pets but to

bless them.

It must be said that the children depend greatly upon the help of their

parents for this special blessing ceremony, since without a means of transport

those special pets would not normally be coming to school.

This year's Blessing of the Animals, which occurred Friday, October 3, was

notable for several reasons.

The Bleidner family contributed much to the spirit of the occasion.

Kindergartner Andrew Bleidner created an artistic design to decorate the

program cover, and he and his sister, Genevieve, a first grader, pooled their

allowance to buy the church a statue of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint

of animals.

"We found it at a garage sale. They were so excited they had to have it for

the school," said their mother, Claudette Bleidner.

Also, there seemed to be a record number of species in attendance this year,

yet all guests were remarkably well behaved.

From parakeets to poodles, hens to hamsters, cats to rabbits, the creatures

seemed content. Held securely in the arms of their owners, straining at

leashes, or comfortable in the familiar space of their cages, they remained

quiet and reverent during prayers said in their behalf.

"Will all Christian animals please come forward," said Father Birge as he

welcomed the pets to receive the blessing.

Only the cats flinched with annoyance during the anointing process.

When Father Larson sprinkled a few droplets of holy water, the parakeets

squawked, the dogs blinked but the goldfish were oblivious.

At the closing, the entire school joined in repeating the Prayer of St

Francis.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much

seek to be consoled, as to console;

To be loved, as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.