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Sep 26, 2012 | Luke Blount

Churches Gearing Up for Pet Blessings

Pet Blessing DiologCongregations across the Episcopal Diocese of Texas are preparing to celebrate St. Francis' Feast Day with a Blessing of the Animals. The community event has become an easy way for churches to connect neighbors with each other as well as the local animal shelters. 

 

"This is a major evangelism opportunity if you do it right," said Carol Barnwell, EDOT's communications director. "We have lots of things we already do as Church but we don't always use them to our best advantage."


Some churches are gathering on their campus during service or after. Some are gathering at local shelter, and other are heading out to local parks.

 

"Sometimes I think it's easier for people to talk to 'Sadie the Schnauzer' or 'Bobo the Boxer' who is being walked by his or her owner than to the neighbor," said Jennifer Leclercq, who is organizing a pet blessing at St. Mary's, Cypress. "I thought it would be an idea of how to get people to invite their neighbors to church, because pets are so cute and easier to talk to sometimes than people. And who knows, it could open up all kinds of conversations."

 

To learn about a pet blessing near you or to tell us about your pet blessing, visit our blog.