God Bless Them Every One

October 4 is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, and on Saturday morning, October 5, at 11 a.m., Father John Perry, rector of Christ Church Episcopal, will be presiding at the annual Blessing of the Animals, which takes place--rain or shine--beside the church at 431 Union Street. Hudson residents are invited to bring their well-beloved and well-behaved pets on leashes or in crates to be blessed. After the blessing, there will be treats for the animals and their human companions.

The Episcopal Church recently approved a new liturgy to memorialize pets who have died. For the first time, this new service will be included in the blessing ceremony. People who have lost pets in the last year are invited to come to the Blessing of the Animals and add their departed pet's name to the remembrance.