St. Andrew's Pets Welcomed Inside Church For Blessing

Despite replacing the carpet just a couple weeks prior, St. Andrew's, Pearland, held their annual pet blessing inside, as is the tradition. Cats, dogs, a ferret, a guinea pig, a bird, and a hermit crab tooks their seats in the pews, and some were even present for Sunday school.

 

"The altar guild started shrinking the carpet for this event about three years ago," said Debbie Allensworth, associate to the rector. "So you actually walk on plastic."

 

After being blessed, each animal receives a St. Francis medalion. Those who couldn't bring their pets, brought up pictures of the animals to be blessed. Many people brought their phones up with pictures of their pets to be blessed. 

 

"My cats are a little neurotic," Allensworth said. "So bringing them up in the midst of a lot of dogs would be a nightmare. So my kids just brought a picture up on their phones to be blessed."

 

Years ago, the Rev. Jim Liberatore and the Rev. Joe O'Steen decided to bring the pet blessing indoors and make it part of the Sunday service.

 

"Jim and Joe have always said it is the happiest day at St. Andrew's because everyone has their entire family with them at church," Allensworth said.