WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS W.Va. (WVDN) – On Sunday, October 12, at 3 p.m., St. Thomas Episcopal Church in White Sulphur Springs is offering a Blessing of the Animals. This annual event, held near the date of the Feast of St. Francis, is celebrated outdoors, weather permitting (in the church proper in case of inclement weather).
Please bring your pet on a leash or in a carrier. The Rev. Betsy Walker, Rector of St. Thomas, will offer blessings for each pet following a brief service. This offering is open to everyone and to all sorts of pets.
Co-Sponsor: The Greenbrier Humane Society will also be on hand, bringing some of their animals from the shelter to be blessed. As part of this year’s service, folks are encouraged to bring paper towels, laundry detergent, bleach, non-clumping cat litter, or dry cat or dog food, which will be taken to the county shelter. These items really are a great help – another sort of blessing – to the Greenbrier Humane Society, and any support folks can offer is greatly appreciated.
St. Francis, the patron saint of animals, lived in the 13th century. This gentle saint loved all of God’s creation, even to the extent of preaching sermons to the birds of the air (this is why many statues of St. Francis have a bird or two alighting on his shoulder or arm).
For more information regarding this service, you can contact Mother Betsy at the church: 304-536-3320.
St. Thomas is located on Main Street in White Sulphur Springs – “The brown church with the red doors.”
Organizers said, “We look forward to seeing you and blessing your beloved pets!”
