RONCEVERTE (WVDN) – On Wednesday, Oct. 19, Greenbrier Episcopal Ministries is offering a blessing of the animals.
This annual event, normally held on the Feast of St. Francis, has been moved to Oct. 19 this year due to scheduling conflicts.
This year’s service will be held at the Church of the Incarnation in Ronceverte at 5 p.m. in the church’s outdoor worship space behind the church. Ample parking is available at that area.
Please bring your pet on a leash or in a carrier. The Rev. Betsy Walker, missioner of Greenbrier Episcopal Ministries, will offer blessings for each pet following a brief service.
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 has a bird or two alighting on his shoulder or arm).
This offering is open to all and to all sorts of pets. The Greenbrier County Humane Society will also be on hand with some of their animals from the shelter to be blessed.
As part of this year’s service, folks are encouraged to bring paper towels, high efficiency 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 County Humane Society and any support folks can offer is greatly appreciated, said Rev. Walker.
For more information regarding this service, contact Mother Betsy at 304-661-2024.
In the event of inclement weather, the service will have to be canceled.
In past years, this has never been a concern, and organizers are looking forward to a great turnout on Wednesday, Oct. 19 behind the Church of the Incarnation in Ronceverte (on 219 before the bridge over the railroad and river).
