All God's creatures: Blessing ceremonies this weekend - South Bay Pets

All God's creatures: Blessing ceremonies this weekend

Previous Entry | Next Entry
By Donna Littlejohn on October 2, 2009 8:12 AM | | Comments (0) |

st-francis-animals.jpg

 

Blessing of the Animals ceremonies seem to be a growing trend in our pet-devoted culture. While the roots of the ceremonies are in Roman Catholicism, they are now increasingly being observed also by some Protestant churches and nondenominational faiths.

Many of the ceremonies occur this weekend because Oct. 4 is the traditional feast day for St. Francis of Assisi (1181/1182- Oct. 3, 1226), the founder of the Franciscans who also became known as the patron saint of animals.

There are three local ceremonies I know about this weekend, two in Torrance and one in Long Beach:

  • First Lutheran Church & School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance: "Blessing God's Creatures," 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 3); free festival includes exhibits, demonstrations door prizes, free samples, refreshments, photo opportunities and a special blessing for each pet; also pet adoptions, with the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals  among the groups participating; all pets must be under owner's control -- leashes, harness, crates, etc. INFORMATION: www.faith-first.org; 310-320-9920, Ext. 101.
  • Unity Church of South Bay, 2545 W. 237th St., Torrance; 10:30 a.m. Sunday (Oct. 4); non-denominational service devoted to the human-animal connection; each pet receives a certificate of blessing and a ribbon; pictures of pets can be brought as a substitute in cases where the animal is deceased or is not used to crowds; leashes and crates required for dogs and cats. INFORMATION and guidelines: 310-326-2760.
  • Marine Stadium, 5225 E. Paoli Way, Long Beach; 10 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 3); 8th annual Blessing of the Animals (ceremony begins at noon) sponsored by Haute Dogs; includes a moment of silence for dogs involved in dogfighting rings and other abused animals; all "well-behaved pets, including exotic species that are legal to possess in the state of California" are welcome; ceremony free, other related events including a Cutest & Ugliest Dog contests and chihuahua beauty pageant require $20 admission. INFORMATION: www.BlessThePets.com.

noahs-ark.jpg 

 

 

 

 

Categories:

Leave a comment


Pet of the Week

Ask A Vet
Adopt A Pet
Pet Friendly

About this Entry

This page contains a single entry by Donna Littlejohn published on October 2, 2009 8:12 AM.

Pets get blessed, like it or not was the previous entry in this blog.

*** UPDATED Puppy stolen in San Pedro ** Update: puppy is home is the next entry in this blog.

Find recent content on the main index or look in the archives to find all content.

Advertisement


Powered by Movable Type 4.25

About the Bloggers

Daily Breeze reporter Donna Littlejohn has shared her homes with a succession of wonderful, funny, and occasionally difficult canines -- Muffin, Fritz, Ellie, Mercy, Pilgrim and now Cowboy, an Australian shepherd-border collie, and Tess, a border collie. From strong-willed terriers to weirdly obsessed Australian shepherds, they've invaded her world with boundless energy, wet noses, muddy paws and soggy tennis balls. But they've really brought so much more than that -- like laughter and joy, some unexpected life lessons, and more than a few tears along the way.

E-mail Donna at donna.littlejohn@dailybreeze.com.

Josh Grossberg grew up with the usual array of animals: goldfish, dogs, hamsters, parakeets and turtles. He now owns the loudest dog in the South Bay(Video: Rocket the Dog) and is the least popular person on his block. He spends his free time in dog parks, pet shops and always has an extra plastic bag in his pocket just in case. He also has a cat.

E-mail Josh at josh.grossberg@dailybreeze.com.

Search