Our pets bring us joy and happiness. They love us unconditionally, and their presence has been proven to reduce stress. They are truly blessings in our lives, and St. Paul's Episcopal Church thinks so, too. The church, located at 90 S. Charlotte St., Manheim, will hold Francis Fest - Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, Oct. 3, at 1 p.m. The ceremony will be held on the church lawn.
"Our pets are so important to us," said Barbara J. Seras, priest in charge, who is a cat mom. "They are so much a part of our lives. For me, they bring a rhythm to my life."
Seras, who has been serving at St. Paul's for the past 18 months, held similar ceremonies at her other churches over the years. She has blessed most household pets, as well as sheep, goats and the local K-9 unit. "I've had people ride up on horses for the blessing," she recalled.
All pets are invited to Francis Fest, but they must be crated or leashed. "I just ask that (attendees') pets are not running loose," Seras stated.
People may also bring pictures of their pets instead of the animal, she noted. "Some animals are too afraid to come out or too anxious to be in a crowd like this," she explained. "I can bless the picture if that's the case." She also encouraged children to bring a stuffed animal for a blessing. "They can take them home, and when they go to bed that night, they are sleeping with their blessing right next to them," she stated.
The ceremony will also include a reading of "The Rainbow Bridge," a poem dedicated to pets that have passed away. "We'll include a prayer for animals we love but no longer see," Seras remarked. "When a pet dies, it's a big loss."
She explained that Francis Fest takes its name from St. Francis. "He was a very beloved saint who was well known for his love of (God's) creation," she said.
Donations will be collected at Francis Fest for the Pet Pantry of Lancaster County, including dry and canned food, toys, litter and gift cards.
Seras noted that she hopes to see a good turnout for Francis Fest, which she described as a "great celebration" of the creatures that bring us comfort. "This is a nice way to bless something we love and to celebrate how special animals are to us," she said.
For more information on Francis Fest, call the church at 717-665-6584.
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