Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
PORTLAND — Animal lovers from around Maine are invited to flock to have their animal companions blessed outdoors in celebration of St. ancis of Assisi’s Feast Day.
All pets are welcome to attend any of the Blessing of the Animals events scheduled for October in Maine. As prayers are offered, the pets will be gently sprinkled with holy water. When additional events are added to the list below, they will be posted at www.portlanddiocese.org/blessing-of-animals [1].
St. Francis of Assisi was known for his love of all of God’s creatures. The Blessing of the Animals remembers Francis’ love by invoking God’s blessing on the animals and thanking God for letting us share the earth. The blessing also recognizes the important place that pets hold in people’s hearts.
Scheduled blessings schedule [those in bold are in Turner Publishing circulation area]:
SATURDAY, OCT. 3
Falmouth — Holy Martyrs of North America Church, 266 Foreside Road, 9 a.m. in the parking lot.
Portland — St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Ave., 10 a.m. on the church lawn.
Gray — St. Gregory Church, 24 North Raymond Road, 11 a.m. in the parking lot.
Houlton — St. Mary of the Visitation Church, 110 Military St., 1 p.m. outside of the church.
Sanford — Holy Family Church, 66 North Ave., 2 p.m. (rain date is Sunday).
SUNDAY, OCT. 4
Belfast — Waldo County YMCA, 157 Lincolnville Ave., after the 8:30 a.m. drive-thru Mass.
Dexter — St. Anne Church, 64 Free St., 11:30 a.m. (after 10:30 a.m. Mass).
Rockland — St. Bernard Church, 150 Broadway, after 11 a.m. Mass in the parking lot (drive-thru blessings).
Augusta — St. Michael School, 56 Sewall St., 1 p.m. in the school playground (access from Lincoln Street).
Winthrop — St. Francis Xavier Church, 130 Route 133, 1 p.m. in the parking lot.
Gardiner — St. Joseph Church, 110 School St., 1 p.m. in the parking lot.
Gorham — St. Anne Church, 299 Main St., 2 p.m. in the parking lot.
Orono — Newman Center, 83 College Ave., 2 p.m. in the parking lot.
Skowhegan — Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, 273 Water St., 2 p.m. outside church.
Lewiston — Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul, 122 Ash St., 4 p.m. on the front lawn.
SATURDAY, OCT. 10
Portland — St. Louis Church, 279 Danforth St., 10 a.m. on lawn of the church.
