St. Gianna Church Blesses Pets Sunday At James J. Sexton Park

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — St. Francis would be happy to know that pets all over the Chicago area will be blessed at dozens of Archdiocese of Chicago parishes and shrines from Saturday, Sept. 28 and continuing through Saturday, Oct. 12.

Furry, feathery, fluffy, slimy, scaly and spikey friends of all shapes and sizes are welcome to the celebrations. All animals must be safely secured or on leashes.

St. Gianna Parish will be blessing pets at James Sexton Park, 91st Street and Rockwell Avenue, Evergreen Park.

The blessings are in honor of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assissi, the patron saint of animals and the environment.

"God requires that we assist the animals, when they need our help," St. Francis once said. "Each being (human or creature) has the same right of protection."