Pets Get Church Blessing

The church doors opened Sunday afternoon to furry creatures and some caged pets, animals that are beloved family members and created by God, said the Rev. Cindy Sever, pastor of Christ Episcopal Church.

Sever welcomed the pets and their owners, and she went one by one in the church's dining room area, saying prayers of blessing for the pets: "May God, who created the animals of this earth as companions and help to us, continue to protect and sustain us with his grace and love. Amen."

Sever presented the dogs with biscuits and medals. The pet owners received certificates, noting the blessing on the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

"I think animals are a gift from God that we should be thankful for," Sever said after the service.

Her dog Mikki, a pug the Sever family rescued from a puppy mill in Missouri, was among the blessed. Sever became pastor of the Albion Episcopal church in March. The church last had a blessing service for animals in the mid-1990s. Sever would like to make it an annual tradition for the Albion community, in upstate New York.

"People want to have their relationships with their pets acknowledged," she said.

Nancy Baker and Doug Miller of Medina brought a 145-pound Saint Bernard, Gabby, for a blessing. They rescued the dog eight years ago. Gabby, now 10, is blind and deaf. Baker said she wants the dog to be comfortable.

"She's a good girl and she's a very sweet dog," Baker said. "I thought Gabby could use a blessing. She seems happy. Her tail is still wagging."

The Cheverie family of Albion appreciated the chance to bring their weimaraner dog, Molly, to church and for the opportunity to be blessed.

"She's just as much part of our family as we are," Jan Cheverie said about Molly. "She can't normally come to church so this is her day."

Jan's husband Al took several pictures of Molly waiting, with tongue hanging out, for her chance to blessed. Mr. Cheverie also captured other pets getting a blessing during the 20-minute ceremony. The Cheveries have two children: Ashleigh, 14; and Andrew, 13.

Mrs. Cheverie was happy to see her church value pets. "They're not just animals," she said.

David Conlon heard about the service Sunday when he attended mass at Holy Family Catholic Church in Albion. Conlon brought Molly, a Boston terrier, to Christ Church for the service at 3 p.m.

"They need blessings, just like we do," Conlon said about his dog.

He took Molly to obedience school when she was a puppy and the 3-year-old still does tricks, dances and is well-behaved.

"This dog is a lot better than some human beings I know," he said. "You can put in the newspaper."

Sever's husband, Byron, held their pug for the blessing. The Severs are animal lovers, and they have rescued a dog, two cats, a rabbit and Guinea pig.

Mr. Sever said the service Sunday was important for pet owners. But he knows some people may think it's odd to have an animal blessed.

"I don't think it's silly at all," he said, while holding Mikki the pug on his lap. "We've all been created by the same creator. Pets give us companionship, comfort and love."