Neighbor News
North Shore Community Blessing of the Animals Celebrates its 15th Year Saturday, October 7, 2017
For 15 years, All Saints Episcopal Church, Danvers, has blessed North Shore animals on the first Saturday of October.
To celebrate the joy of animals in our lives, and to emphasize their importance to us as spiritual beings, All Saints Episcopal Church of the North Shore will sponsor the 15th annual Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 7, 2017, from 1 to 3 p.m., rain or shine. The event will take place on the "green" at All Saints North Shore -- directly across the street from the Danvers Town Hall, 46 Cherry Street on your GPS. (In case of rain, the event will move into Parish Hall.) Ample free, on-street parking is available. The Blessing coincides with the annual Feast of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals.
The Rev. Marya DeCarlen, All Saint's rector, will preside over this beloved community event that welcomes all, regardless of species and/or religion or spiritual belief.
Rev. DeCarlen will offer hands-on blessings for all creatures in attendance -- ferrets, birds, cats, dogs, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, horses, goats, pigs, fish, and other domesticated animals -- and she will also bless photographs and paper prayers for those animals that are unable to attend due to illness, geography or temperament, or those that have passed on.
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Members of our Perfect Paws Pet Ministry Therapy Dogs contingent, a partnership with Dog B.O.N.E.S. Therapy Dogs of Massachusetts, will be available to offer free canine assessments to determine whether dogs have the tolerant temperament to serve as therapy dogs in health care facilities and with young children we visit to help build reading skills and confidence. Therapy Dog certification workshops are held frequently at All Saints North Shore.
Everyone is invited to attend the 15th Blessing of the Animals. The event is free and open to the public.
