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Oct 09, 2013 | Luke Blount

Texas Episcopalians Find Inventive Ways to Bless Animals

navasota dog
The Rev. Cynthia Engle blesses a dog at
the animal shelter. More photos can be found here.

Spoiled Texas pets, large and small, received blessings over the weekend from Episcopal clergy. In what has become an essential community event, churches in the Diocese of Texas found new ways to connect with neighbors and the animals they love.

 

In Navasota, the Rev. Cynthia Engle announced her plans for a blessing on the local TV station before hosting a pet blessing at the church and then another one at the local animal shelter in addition to collecting donations for pet food and other items.

 

In Pearland, the Rev. Jim Liberatore and the Rev. Joe O'steen camped out at the local PetSmart, offering blessings to anyone who entered. "What a great day!" Liberatore said. "The biggest surprise was the reception we got blessing at PetSmart. The store manager graciously gave us space and we had great interactions with pets and owners as well. We gave away all our goody bags, and we were invited back."

 

At Christ Church in Cedar Park, the youth group prepared certificates and treat bags for the animals. Each animal also received a scarf. The Rev. Bruce Bonner was prepared to bless many animals but was in for a big surprise when one animal arrived in a pouch. "We had many dogs, one cat, and one kangaroo," said Christ Church's deacon, the Rev. Jan Halstead. "I think Father Bruce Bonner was a little surprised when Cinderoola the Kangaroo popped her head out of her pouch."

 

kangaroo
The Rev. Bruce Bonner and the Rev. Jan Halstead were surprised
to bless a kangaroo in Cedar Park, Texas.

 

 

St. Cyprian's, Lufkin, has turned their pet blessing into a large community event. The local TV station , KTRE, visited and filed this report:

 

 

 

KTRE.com | Lufkin and Nacogdoches, Texas

 

Several other churches will host other events throughout the month, including some that have incorporated a pet blessing into their annual pumpkin patch festivals. Most churches will also take up a donation for local animal shelters. To find upcoming pet blessing events in your neighborhood, click here.

 

Visit our Facebook page to see links to photos.