My wife and I received the flyer announcing that St. John’s Episcopal Church was inviting all pet lovers to its annual Saint Francis Day Pet Blessing. We have 13-year-old twin Peekapoos–Hydee and Zeek (as in “hide and seek”)–and thought “why not?” Love for animals as a common denominator: We’re there. Plus, “there” is just across the street.
Presiding was Father Chip Connolly, 65, the new St. John’s rector. We’re not parishioners and had not met him before. In fact, I had never met a priest named “Chip” before. Catholics don’t do that. It proved symbolic.
Informal and unaffected, Fr. Chip was totally at ease with a menagerie that also included cats, an iguana, a fish and a gerbil. St. Francis, an eclectic sort, would have approved.
“I love it; it’s great fun,” said a beaming Fr. Chip. “You’re blessing a pet, but you’re also blessing that person’s relationship with one of God’s creatures.”
Amen.