Tewksbury Church Welcomes Pets On Sunday For Blessing Of The Animals

TEWKSBURY, MA -- Everyone knows you're supposed to be quiet in church, but that may be tough for some participants in a special service at 2 pm on Sunday at the Tewksbury Congregational Church. The church is welcoming pets to the service for its annual Blessing of the Animals.

"In blessing our pets, we are participating in a practice started by Francis of Assisi 800 years ago," Norman Bendroth, the interim pastor at the church, said in a Facebook post. "Francis introduced the idea that human beings are only one of the myriad of creations in God’s universe that are blessed."

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The practice goes back even further in Judaism, Bendroth said. Some Jewish congregations bless their animals after the High Holy Days, when they read the biblical story of Noah and the ark.

Sunday's service starts at 2 pm at the church, which is located at 10 East Street in Tewksbury, and should last about 30 minutes. The church is asking people and their pets enter by the side door from the parking lot. Pets should be leashed or in a cage, and people can bring a photo or stuffed animal to be blessed in their pet's stead.

"All participants will be sent home with a 'goody bag' and a card with a blessing printed on it. Areas will be sectioned off for dogs, cats, rodents, and reptiles and for humans who don’t care for animals," the church said in its Facebook post announcing the event.

'Animals have always been part of human communities," Bendroth said. "They delight us, entertain us and teach us about faithfulness, friendship, love, and forgiveness. They bring laughter, joy, comfort and companionship. They are gifts from God."

For more information, see the event page on Facebook.

Photo by Tewksbury Congregational Church

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).