🐈🐢 Blessing of the Animals at St. Mary's Church 🐕🦜🐇

St. Mary's Church, Newport, invites community members and their animal companions to our fourth annual "Blessing of the Animals" on Sunday, October 4, at 12:30 p.m. This event commemorates the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, which falls on October 4.

The individual animal blessings will occur outdoors, in the courtyard on the William Street side of the church, accessed from Spring Street.

All animals must be leashed or in a pet carrier. Thank you for your cooperation.

Cider, donuts, and coffee will be served. 
Pet treats available for animal companions.

Participants are asked to bring a pet food item that will be donated to the Potter League for Animals.

The event will be canceled if the weather is inclement. No rain date.

About Parking
Plenty of free parking is available in the church's parking lots on William Street, which runs one way downhill from Bellevue Avenue. Parking is also available in the church's lot on Fair Street. Fair Street runs one way from Thames Street to Spring Street. Access Fair Street by taking an immediate left off Thames Street, just south of the Americas Cup and Memorial Boulevard West intersection. Use the lot on the right side of Fair Street (when facing the Spring Street entrance to the church), not the lot on the left side of the street.

For more information, please contact St. Mary's parishioner and event coordinator, Lisa Morrison, at Lisa7317@gmail.com

To learn more about St. Francis of Assisi, one of Italy's two patron saints, and the patron saint of ecology, including animals, their lives, and welfare, click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

About St. Mary's Church
The parish was established in 1828 to serve Newport's growing population of Catholics, many of whom were Irish immigrants working on the construction of nearby Fort Adams. The congregation soon outgrew its first two buildings, which were located at Barney & Mt. Vernon Streets, a short stroll from Washington Square. The Gothic Revival style building you see today at the corner of Spring Street and Memorial Boulevard West was designed by Irish-American architect, Patrick C. Keely. Construction began in August 1848, and in July 1852, the building was dedicated to "The Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle." Future president, John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, whose mother and stepfather summered in Newport, were married here on September 12, 1953. Saint Mary's was designated a National Historic Shrine in 1968 and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.

Today, Saint Mary's is a vibrant Catholic faith community of approximately 1,200 families led by Fr. Mark A. Sauriol, who is also pastor of nearby Saint Augustin's Parish.