St. Francis Sunday

BLESSED ARE THE ANIMALS
(Excerpted from the Tulsa World, 10/5/2008)

Members of Christ Church Episcopal, 10901 S. Yale Ave. gathered to have their pets blessed in commemoration of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals and the environment. Father Rick Brewer said that the blessings given to animals are an expression of love. He said the meaningful relationship that many people have with their pets connects them in a deeper sense with all creation. Brewer said when people ask him if pets go to heaven, he answers "You betcha."

While Saturday's blessing featured mostly dogs with a few cats and fish thrown in, Brewer said in the past he has conducted blessings that involved parakeets, lizards, horses and frogs.

Dee Brewer, the pastor's wife for almost 40 years, brought the couple's high-spirited dog Buddy to be blessed on Saturday. "He needs it, can't you tell?" she said. "He's been blessed before, but I don't think it took."