Blessing of the Animals – The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" overlay_color="" video_preview_image="" border_color="" border_style="solid" padding_top="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" padding_right=""][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="true" min_height="" hover_type="none" link="" border_sizes_top="" border_sizes_bottom="" border_sizes_left="" border_sizes_right="" first="true"][fusion_text] Christ Church Invites the Community to a Blessing of the Animals POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Christ Church Poughkeepsie will hold a community Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 4 at 12:30 p.m. under the tent at 20 Carroll Street. The gathering is held in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, whose love for animals and creation has made this one of the most beloved traditions in churches around the world. People are invited to bring dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs — really, all creatures great and small. Each animal will receive an individual blessing, a blessing certificate, and a St. Francis medal to take home. “Animals have a way of becoming part of our families,” said the Rev. Tommy Dillon, Interim Rector of Christ Church. “They bring us joy, comfort, companionship, and sometimes a little chaos too. This is just a joyful way to give thanks for them.” Those who cannot bring an animal are welcome to bring a photograph. There will also be an opportunity to remember pets who have died. And you do not have to be a member of Christ Church — or even much of a church person — to come. “Just come as you are and bring the creature you love,” Dillon said. The event is free and open to everyone. For safety, animals should be leashed, harnessed, or brought in carriers. Blessing of the Animals Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. Christ Church Poughkeepsie 20 Carroll Street, Poughkeepsie For more information contact Fr Tommy Dillon at tommydillon@mac.com [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]