Posted on 10/10/2005 6:23:23 AM PDT by Rodney King
Fifteen dogs, three cats, two birds and a toy rubber rat gathered in front of Christ Church Greenwich yesterday, where they were blessed in celebration of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.
The Rev. Jeffrey Walker, rector of Christ Church, said the annual animal service is a reminder to humans that they should have "a real abiding sense of stewardship and taking care of God's creation."
(Excerpted)
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I don't get your objection to pet blessings.
All of creation was blessed by God as being good.
This is a yearly event at both my Catholic Church and my mother in laws Catholic Church. She wanted me to bring our pet hampster up to her church last week. I said no. I know we all love pets and all but how did this start?
I don't have some sort of massive objection to it, but it seems to be putting "the focus" in the wrong place, at a time when "the focus" so desperately needs to be put in the right place.
In this case, I know this Chruch, and they don't even really beleive in God. So I guess that means these pets won't be any more likely to go do doggy heaven than any others.
In and of itself, it's not. You are correct.
How did this start?
Gen 2
18 And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” 19 Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.
Careful, as far as i know scripture is silent on this issue and animal lovers might get a bit angry if you point that out.
The Lord is never absent from what goes on.
Honoring God's creation is never bad. Churches may be the last sanctuary where one can honestly do that. More should do it, not less.
Wouldn't it be great if all of these fans of St. Francis shared his devotion to the Eucharist with the same enthusiasm they display for the blessing of the animals? St. Francis might rather his devotees fall upon their knees before a tabernacle and say, "I adore you, Oh Christ, and I praise you for by your holy cross you have redeemed the world."
Wondering how many times the PEOPLE of the congregation get a special blessing??
Thanks. That is my point. I don't think that blessing the animals is bad in and of itself, but can be troubling given the contect.
contect=context
The reverand's daughter brought a rubber cat to church? I wonder how it benefits getting a blessing.
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