On October 6, 2019, in honor of the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, Prince of Peace Catholic Parish’s Father John Fallon blessed dogs, cats, snakes and a turtle at the church’s annual blessing of the pets.

There were at least 50 pets gathered outside the Hoover church by the columbarium on that afternoon, and they were all on their best behavior. St. Francis believed that people have a duty to protect and enjoy nature as both the stewards of God’s creation and as creatures ourselves. Many of the stories that surround the life of Saint Francis say that he had a great love for animals and the environment.

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