In celebration of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, more than 20 churches around Maine plan to hold Blessing of the Animals prayer services. Animal lovers are invited to bring their pets to have them blessed and gently sprinkled with holy water.

People of all faiths are welcome, according to a news release from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.

Ceremonies are listed by date and location:

Saturday, Oct. 1
• Bath: St. Mary Church (parking lot), 144 Lincoln St., 10-10:30 a.m.

• Bridgton: St. Joseph Church, 225 South High St., 10 a.m.

• East Millinocket: St. Peter Church, 58 Cedar St., 10 a.m.

• Gray: St. Gregory the Great Church, 24 North Raymond Road, 9:30-10 a.m.

• Houlton: St. Mary of the Visitation Church (parking lot), 110 Military St., 1 p.m.

• Newcastle: St. Patrick Church, 380 Academy Hill Road, 2-2:30 p.m.

• Norway: St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Paris St., 10 a.m.

• Portland: St. Louis Church, 279 Danforth St., 10 a.m.

• Portland: St. Joseph Church (lawn), 673 Stevens Ave., 1-2 p.m.

• Yarmouth: Sacred Heart Church, 326 Main St., 2-2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 2
• Augusta: St. Michael School (parking lot), 56 Sewall St., 1 p.m.

• Boothbay Harbor: Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 82 Atlantic Ave., 8-8:30 a.m.

• Brunswick: St. Charles Borromeo Church (parking lot), 132 McKeen St., 2-2:30 p.m.

• Calais: Immaculate Conception Church (parking lot), 31 Calais Ave., 1 p.m.

• Dover-Foxcroft: St. Thomas Aquinas Church (outside the church), 45 High St., 12:30 p.m.

• Fort Kent: St. Louis Church (outside rectory garage), 26 East Main St., 2 p.m. There will also be a memory table for those who wish to bring a photo or memento of a beloved, deceased pet, and a photo area where people can have pictures taken with their pets. Participants are also asked to consider bringing donations of cat or dog food, which will be given to a local shelter or food pantry.

• Gardiner: St. Joseph Church (parking lot), 110 School St., 1 p.m.

• Peaks Island: St. Christopher Church, 15 Central Ave., following the 8:30 a.m. Mass (approx. 9:30 a.m.)

• South Portland: Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, noon

• Winslow: St. John Grotto, 26 Monument St., 1 p.m.

• Winthrop: St. Francis Xavier Church (parking lot), 130 Route 133, 1 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 9
• Bangor: St. Mary Church (parking lot), 768 Ohio St., 2 p.m.

In addition, Fr. Lou Phillips, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Windham, Westbrook and Gorham, will bless the animals at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland’s Arthur P. Girard Adoption Center, 217 Landing Road in Westbrook.

If events are added, they will be listed along with the other services at portlanddiocese.org/blessing-animals-2022.

 

Check out other upcoming area events!

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