Friday, September 25, 2009

Bless thy pet

Annual animal blessings honor St. Francis


By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

St. Thomas Episcopal Church’s Father Ken Brannon performs the annual “Blessing of the Animals.” Photo by

The Wood River Valley is a place for animal lovers. It is not uncommon to hear a resident say that the most desirable form of reincarnation would be as a dog living in Sun Valley.

In celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on Sunday, Oct. 4., valley faith leaders will perform their annual blessing of the animals.

A blessing event will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church at 201 Sun Valley Road on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 12:30 p.m. For details, call 726-5349.

The Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley's "Blessing of the Animals" will be held at the shelter on 100 Croy Creek Road west of Hailey on Sunday, Oct. 11, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. For details, call 788-4351.

People can bring their feathered or four-legged friends to St. Thomas this Sunday so Father Ken Brannon, rector of St. Thomas, or Minister John Moreland, minister of Light on the Mountains Spiritual Center, can bestow a special blessing on each one no matter age or size.

St. Thomas will honor St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, by blessing pets on the church patio, weather permitting. Refreshments for everyone, including pets, will be available following the blessing.

Saint Francis (1181-1226) was the founder of the Franciscan order of monks. He is best known as the patron saint of animals, birds and the environment because of his gentleness and compassion, which, the stories say, allowed him to tame wild lions.

The shelter will host its blessing on Sunday, Oct. 11, conducted by Minister Wendy Collins. Girl Scout Troop 61 will collect donations of unopened bags of adult cat and dog food as part of the shelter's Paws for Hunger program, which is a partnership with the Blaine County Hunger Coalition. Refreshments will be available for pets and people.

Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com




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