
Pet Blessings 2009
Around the United States (partial
list)
This is our 14th annual
Web listing of pet blessings and it's growing! Pet blessings are
happening around the world on or near October 4, the Feast of St.
Francis of Assisi. If you know of a blessing that is not on this
list please enter your
listing online or e-mail us at StAnthony@AmericanCatholic.org
We will post updates until October 4.
| Aurora |
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St. Joseph Church
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Contact:
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722 High St.
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Parish Office stjoe722@sbcglobal.net
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(630) 844-3780
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Marianne Reier
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Roman Catholic
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In honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, who loved all creatures and reverenced God's earth, let us celebrate this occasion by remembering and asking God's blessing upon those animals who have given us such joy. The Church encourages the blessing of pets because we need to be reminded of the reverence we should have for all life in whatever form it takes. God has made us the stewards of creation and pets remind us that we have an obligation to take care of the natural gifts that God has given us. Bring your finned, furred, or feathered friend to this traditional celebration of the beauty of life. Please leash or crate all pets.
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 4:00 PM
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| Web Site: |
| Berwyn |
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St. Odilo Church
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Contact:
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2244 East Ave.
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Gail Kunce secretary@saintodilo.org
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(708) 484-2161
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Roman Catholic
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Saturday, October 03, 2009 12:00 PM
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| Web Site: |
| Bloomington |
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St. Mary's Church
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Contact:
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527 W. Jackson St.
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Parish Office
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(309) 827-8526
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Tina Boettcher
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Roman Catholic
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Please be sure to have your pet safe on a leash. Everyone is welcome!
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Friday, October 02, 2009 3:15 PM
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| Web Site: |
| Chicago |
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Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church
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Contact:
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3253 W. Wilson Ave.
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Church Office
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(773) 478-7941
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Rev. Tom Terrell tterrell03@sbcglobal.net
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ELCA
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All are welcome at this outdoor celebration and blessing.
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Tuesday, November 03, 2009 11:00 AM
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| Web Site: |
| Chicago |
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St. Matthias Parish
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Contact:
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2310 W. Ainslie
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Fr. John Sanaghan
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(773) 506-2191
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Sandria Morten
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Roman Catholic
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Pets of all kinds, including stuffed animals, along with their people friends should gather in the rectory garden by the statue of St. Francis Assisi. Please note: pet snakes should be on a leash to prevent escape.
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Saturday, October 03, 2009 9:00 AM
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| Web Site: www.stmatthiastransfiguration.com |
| Chicago |
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Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii
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Contact:
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1224 W. Lexington Ave.
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Rectory Office
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(312) 421-3757
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Roman Catholic
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Blessing takes place after the 11am Mass.
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:00 PM
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| Web Site: www.ourladyofpompeii.org |
| Chicago |
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St. Barbara Church
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Contact:
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2859 S. Throop
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Fr. Dennis Ziomek
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(312) 842-7979
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Roman Catholic
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Blessing takes place on the church steps.
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Saturday, October 03, 2009 9:30 AM
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| Web Site: www.stbarbarachicago.org |
| Chicago |
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Congregational Church of Jefferson Park, UCC
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Contact:
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5320 W. Giddings
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Church Office ccjpucc5320@att.net
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(773) 725-0121
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Rev. Gloria Hopewell
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United Church of Christ
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For this "All Creatures Great and Small" service, dogs should be leashed, cats and other small animals in carriers.
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 11:00 AM
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| Web Site: |
| Chicago |
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Edison Park Lutheran Church
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Contact:
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6626 N. Oliphant Ave.
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Carole Edwards
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(773) 631-9131
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Lutheran
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Blessing takes place in the park across the street from the church.
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Saturday, October 03, 2009 10: 00 AM
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| Web Site: www.edisonparklutheran.org |
| Chicago |
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St. Peter's Episcopal Church
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Contact:
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621 W. Belmont Ave.
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Catherine Thomson
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(773) 525-0844
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Rev. Sarah Fisher
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Episcopal
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A reception with treats for animals and their humans follows the service.
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Saturday, October 10, 2009 11:00 AM
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| Web Site: www.stpeterschicago.org |
| Chicago |
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Unity Lutheran Church
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Contact:
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1212 W. Balmoral Ave
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Pastor Fred Kinsey
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(773) 697-4612
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Lutheran
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All are welcome to bring their pet for this outdoor service as we lift up St. Francis' belief that all animals are our brothers and sisters.
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Saturday, October 03, 2009 11:00 AM
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| Web Site: |
| Chillicothe |
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St. Edward Parish
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Contact:
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1216 North Sixth St.
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Parish Office
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(309) 274-3809
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Fr. Harris
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Roman Catholic
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Blessing for St. Edward's School takes place at 1:30pm on Friday, Oct. 2, on the blacktop in the parking lot. The parish blessing on Sunday takes place in the Billy Galindo Playground following the conclusion of the 10:30am Mass.
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 11:30 AM
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| Web Site: |
| Crystal Lake |
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Living Waters Lutheran Church
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Contact:
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1808 Miller Rd
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Sharon
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(815) 455-2525
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Lisa
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ELCA
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Blessing takes place outdoors, at the back of the parking lot. Please be sure to use leashes and kennels or other containers appropriate for your animal.
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Saturday, September 26, 2009 6:00 PM
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| Web Site: |
| Crystal Lake |
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Bethany Lutheran Church
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Contact:
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76 W. Crystal Lake Ave.
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Church Office
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(815) 459-2690
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Amanda
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ELCA
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Pet owners and animal lovers are invited to bring your pets to a service of blessing. We'll gather outside the church building on the corner of Crystal Lake & Elmhurst/McHenry Avenues for prayer, scripture, and song as we bless all God's creatures. Proper leashes and carriers are required to best care for all who gather.
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 11:15 AM
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| Web Site: |
| Des Plains |
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Trinity Lutheran Church
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Contact:
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675 E. Algonquin Rd
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Linda Kuska trinityldp@ameritech.net
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(847) 827-6656
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Lutheran
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Blessing takes place on the church lawn.
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 2:00 PM
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| Web Site: |
| Evanston |
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St. Luke's Episcopal Church
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Contact:
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939 Hinman Ave
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Annie Fitzpatrick office@stlukesevanston.org
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(847) 475-3630
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Pamela Ippoliti
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Episcopal
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From 10 to 11:15am a special service inside St. Luke’s will celebrate companion animals with individual blessings of all pets present.
11:15AM – 1:00PM: A street fair outside the church will feature exhibits by animal-service organizations, food for humans and treats for pets.
All pets (of any faith) and their people are warmly invited. It is requested that pets be appropriately controlled for everyone’s comfort and safety. If your pet would rather not go to church, you can bring his or her photo to be blessed. Memorial banners will be available for inscription of names of deceased pets to be commemorated.
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 10:00 AM
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| Web Site: www.stlukesevanston.org |
| Geneva |
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Old Geneva Court House
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Contact:
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South 3rd St.
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Joyce Langeness rjlprop@aol.com
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(630) 232-0133
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Interdenominational
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Blessing takes place on the lawn of Old Court House so bring your pets no matter what they are: dogs, cats, pigs, birds, horses, cows, snakes or lizards! Each will receive a special blessing and be given a treat. The service, sponsored by St. Mark's Episcopal Church, is open to people of all faiths. Unconditional love for your pet is all that is required. For additional information call St. Mark's at the phone number above or email Joyce at the email address above.
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 1:30 PM
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| Web Site: |
| Glenview |
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Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
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Contact:
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1775 Grove St.
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Cherie DiCesare
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(847) 729-1525
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Roman Catholic
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Saturday, October 03, 2009 10:45 AM
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| Web Site: www.olphglenview.org |
| Homer Glen |
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Marian Village - Franciscan Sisters of Chicago
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Contact:
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15624 Marian Dr
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Elizabeth Pienta
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(708) 225-3756
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Interdenominational
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This senior-living community located off 159th (near Parker). Marian Village is behind the Loyola Urgent Care Center at the front of our campus. Everyone is welcome, especially our four-legged and feathered friends!!
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Friday, October 02, 2009 10:00 AM
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| Web Site: |
| Joliet |
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Faith Lutheran Church
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Contact:
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353 N. Midland Ave.
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Vicki Dallmann
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(815) 725-4213
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Rev. Jane Perkolup
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Lutheran
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Saturday, October 10, 2009 11:00 AM
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| Web Site: |
| Lisle |
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St. Joan of Arc Church
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Contact:
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820 Division St.
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Margaret Barouski
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(630) 963-4500
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Roman Catholic
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Saturday, October 03, 2009 9:00 AM
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| Web Site: |
| Macomb |
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St. Paul School
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Contact:
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322 W. Washington
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Peg Kwacala
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(309) 833-2470
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Roman Catholic
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This Mass and blessing are open to the public.
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Wednesday, October 07, 2009 5:15 PM
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| Web Site: |
| Naperville |
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Frontier Sports Park Shelter
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Contact:
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3415 Book Rd.
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Rev. Kitty Benson RevKittyBenson@comcast.net
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(630) 718-1318
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Interdenominational
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This Pet Blessing sponsored by Unity of Naperville is a COMMUNITY event...all are welcome! Please bring well-behaved animals in cages or on leashes. Photos of animals are welcome too. Enter on Book Road at Conan Doyle to reach the shelter.
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 2:00 PM
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| Web Site: www.unityinnaperville.org |
| New Lenox |
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St. Jude Catholic Community
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Contact:
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241 W. Second Ave.
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Denise Utter
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(815) 463-4283
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Roman Catholic
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Blessing takes place in the St. Jude Picnic Grove and West Lot behind the church.
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Friday, October 02, 2009 4:30 PM
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| Web Site: |
| New Lenox |
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St. Jude Church
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Contact:
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241 W. Second Ave.
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Denise Utter
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(815) 463-4262
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Roman Catholic
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Blessing takes place in the picnic area by the parish grounds.
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Friday, October 02, 2009 4:30 PM
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| Web Site: www.stjudes.org |
| Normal |
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Mennonite Church of Normal
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Contact:
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805 S. Cottage Ave.
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Pastor Matt Hickman matt@normalmennonite.org
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(309) 452-6622
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Mennonite-Christian
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Dogs must be leashed, cats must be in carriers. Please bring photos for venomous animals or if pet cannot travel. Water is used for the blessing.
Event on church lawn.
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 4:00 PM
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| Web Site: www.normalmennonite.org |
| Normal |
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Epiphany Church
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Contact:
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1000 East College Ave
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Parish Office
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(309) 452-2585
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Lisa Weber
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Roman Catholic
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Blessing takes place on the lawn in front of the preschool. Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes prior to the start of the service and please leash or crate your pet! In addition to the blessing, local veterinarian Matt Bussan of Town & Country Animal Hospital will give a brief presentation on "Winterizing Your Pet."
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 1:30 PM
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| Web Site: |
| Olympia Fields |
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St. James Hospital & Health Centers
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Contact:
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20201 S. Crawford Ave.
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Guest Relations
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(708) 747-4000
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Roman Catholic
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The outdoor pet blessing event includes a Fall Market, featuring fresh fruits, vegetables and cheeses from local merchants. The Fall Market is open from 11am-2pm. Domestic pets only for the blessing.
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 11:00 AM
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| Web Site: www.stjameshospital.org |
| Park Forest |
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Trinity Lutheran Church
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Contact:
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10023 S. Beverly Ave.
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Church Office
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(708) 747-8388
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Rev. Linda Johnson Seyenkulo
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ELCA Lutheran
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We welcome all pets and owners to this outside service held on our lawn.
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 1:00 PM
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| Web Site: |
| Peotone |
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St. Paul the Apostle Church
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Contact:
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511 N. Conrad St. at Joliet Rd.
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Paula peotone908@aol.com
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(708) 258-9096
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Roman Catholic
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 2:00 PM
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| Web Site: |
| Quincy |
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St. Francis Solanus Church
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Contact:
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1721 College Ave.
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Parish Office
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(217) 222-2898
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Roman Catholic
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 4:30 PM
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| Web Site: www.stfrancissolanus.com |
| Rosemont |
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Our Lady of Hope Church
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Contact:
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9711 Devon
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Mary Puente
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(847) 825-4673
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Roman Catholic
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Saturday, October 03, 2009 10:00 AM
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| Web Site: |
| Schiller Park |
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St. Beatrice Church
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Contact:
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4157 Atlantic Ave.
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Parish Office
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(847) 678-0138
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Roman Catholic
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Saturday, October 03, 2009 9:00 AM
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| Web Site: |
| Shiloh |
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Corpus Christi Church
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Contact:
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205 Rasp St
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Pat Diel
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(618) 632-7614
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Roman Catholic
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All types and sizes of animals are welcome. Please make sure all pets are properly secured.
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Saturday, October 03, 2009 9:00 AM
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| Web Site: |
| Shorewood |
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Holy Family Parish
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Contact:
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600 Brook Forest Ave.
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Deacon Fred Straub fstraub@hotmail.com
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(815) 725-6880
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Roman Catholic
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 2:00 PM
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| Web Site: |
| Sugar Grove |
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John Shields Elementary School
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Contact:
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85 S. Main St.
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Karen Pritchard
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(630) 466-7436
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Interdenominational
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You may notice something odd at the John Shields Elementary School playground on Saturday. A procession of animals: everything from dogs and cats to hamsters and even horses, will be led to a special blessing ceremony. This service is celebrated in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures. All denominations and pets are welcome to the blessing offered by Fr. Bob Jones of St. Katharine Drexel Church.
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Saturday, October 03, 2009 11:00 AM
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| Web Site: |
| Woodridge |
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Christ the Servant Church
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Contact:
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8700 Havens Dr
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Corinne Hanson
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(630) 910-0770
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Fr. Phil Danaher
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Roman Catholic
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Blessing takes place on the terrace outside the main entrance. All pets should be leashed or properly caged.
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 11:30 AM
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| Web Site: |
| Yorkville |
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St. Patrick Parish
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Contact:
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406 Walnut St.
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Deacon Dale
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(630) 553-6671
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Roman Catholic
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Bring your pets for our annual blessing. All pets are welcome: none too big or small! Following in the footsteps of St. Francis, Deacon Dale and Deacon Don will offer the blessings in the east parking lot.
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Sunday, October 04, 2009 1:00 PM
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| Web Site: www.stpatrickyorkville.org |
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