By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
Creatures big and small received holy grace at the annual Blessing of the Animals on Saturday in the Sacred Heart Church parking lot.
The event, sponsored by Sacred Heart and Christ the King parishes, was in honor of Saint Francis. On July 16, 1228, he was pronounced a saint by Pope Gregory IX. He is known as the patron saint of animals, and it is customary for Catholic and Anglican churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his feast day of Oct. 4.
The event was run by the Knights of Columbus. Members of the two parishes and families from Christ the King School look forward to the event and return with their pets year after year.
The hour-long Blessing of the Animals was ongoing as pets and owners arrived. Family pets of dogs, cats, birds, snakes, rabbits and more little animals were brought. After the blessing Knights of Columbus member Mike Cigler gave each pet owner a blessing card of Saint Francis.

