Church of Good Shepherd animal blessing is Oct. 3

RANGELEY– The Church of the Good Shepherd will hold a Blessing of the Animals at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, on the church’s lakeside lawn, 2614 Main St.
The event is part of the church’s centennial anniversary celebration, “The Shepherd’s Arms – 100 Years of Reaching Out in Love.”
The animal blessing is free and open to the public.
The custom of blessing animals is in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi and his love for all creatures great and small. “God blesses us with companions in many forms,” the Rev. Thom Rock, rector of Good Shepherd, said. “Our companion animals are important parts of our lives and families — perhaps especially so in these past many months of pandemic isolation — they bring us joy, and are a kind of blessing themselves.”
The service will feature short readings and an individual blessing for each animal in attendance. Stuffed animals may also be blessed, as are photographs of pets who would not find attending the live event a blessed experience.
Freewill donations will be collected to benefit the Franklin County Animal Shelter.
The church is holding special events each month as part of the centennial celebrations. The next scheduled event is on Tuesday, Nov. 2, a community requiem Mass for All the Faithful Departed, at 6 p.m.
For details, visit www.goodshepherdrangeley.org, Facebook page Good Shepherd Church Rangeley Maine, or call 207-864-3381.