St. George's Episcopal Church Annual Celebration of the Animals and Blessing of Pets

On October 5th, the Reverend Dr. Andrew H. Zeman will bestow a blessing on pets during St. George’s Episcopal Church in Middlebury’s annual Celebration of the Animals and Blessing of the Pets.  Each pet will receive a St. Francis medal.  
“I’ve never met a pet I didn’t like,” the Reverend says, who looks forward each year to the event. “I like meeting a wide range of family pets. In fact, each year, it becomes more diverse.” 
The event will also include a Pet Psychic, Animal Trainer, Raptor demonstration, Groomer, and a cat recuse organization. An assortment of vendors, children games, a raffle, tag sale and a representative from the Queenie Foundation for the ethical treatment of animals will also be included .  The public is warmly invited to attend. Admittance and blessings are free.
St. George’s Episcopal Church is located at the corner of Tucker Hill Road at Route 188 and Tucker Hill Rod in Middlebury.
Many Christian denominations celebrate the memory of St. Francis of Assisi with a blessing of the animals. St. Francis had a great love for animals and the environment. As the founder of the Franciscans, he preached that it was the duty of mankind to protect and enjoy nature,  and was later declared St. Francis of the Patron of Ecology on November 29, 1979, by Pope John Paul II.