Rockaway’s Pets are Blessed!

Having to lead a funeral Mass right after, Father Jim Cunningham and Father Bill Sweeney of SFDS met with parishioners and their pets at the Prayer Garden on Beach 129th and Rockaway Beach Blvd. for a quick ceremony to mark the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. They led prayers, handed out St. Francis of Assisi medallions to everyone and Father Bill doused pets in holy water as he blessed them. A statue of St. Francis of Assisi was even brought to the prayer garden for the occasion.

Everything from dogs of all sizes to a cat in a carrying case, a bunny, a guinea pig and a few geckos, and even some stuffed animals, were among those who received blessings on Saturday.

Photos by Katie McFadden.