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.

Illinois


Aurora
St. Joseph Church Contact:
722 High St. Parish Office  stjoe722@sbcglobal.net
(630) 844-3780
Marianne Reier
Roman Catholic
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.  
Sunday, October 04, 2009
4:00 PM 
Web Site:  

Aurora
Trinity Episcopal Church Contact:
218 East Benton St. Linda Barber  linda@trinityaurora.org
(630) 897-7283
Rob Borchert
Episcopal
 
Sunday, October 04, 2009
9:00 AM 
Web Site: www.trinityaurora.org 

Berwyn
St. Odilo Church Contact:
2244 East Ave. Gail Kunce  secretary@saintodilo.org
(708) 484-2161
Roman Catholic
 
Saturday, October 03, 2009
12:00 PM 
Web Site:  

Bloomington
St. Mary's Church Contact:
527 W. Jackson St. Parish Office
(309) 827-8526
Tina Boettcher
Roman Catholic
Please be sure to have your pet safe on a leash. Everyone is welcome!  
Friday, October 02, 2009
3:15 PM 
Web Site:  

Chicago
Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Contact:
3253 W. Wilson Ave. Church Office
(773) 478-7941
Rev. Tom Terrell  tterrell03@sbcglobal.net
ELCA
All are welcome at this outdoor celebration and blessing.  
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
11:00 AM 
Web Site:  

Chicago
St. Matthias Parish Contact:
2310 W. Ainslie Fr. John Sanaghan
(773) 506-2191
Sandria Morten
Roman Catholic
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.  
Saturday, October 03, 2009
9:00 AM 
Web Site: www.stmatthiastransfiguration.com 

Chicago
Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii Contact:
1224 W. Lexington Ave. Rectory Office
(312) 421-3757
Roman Catholic
Blessing takes place after the 11am Mass.  
Sunday, October 04, 2009
12:00 PM 
Web Site: www.ourladyofpompeii.org 

Chicago
St. Barbara Church Contact:
2859 S. Throop Fr. Dennis Ziomek
(312) 842-7979
Roman Catholic
Blessing takes place on the church steps.  
Saturday, October 03, 2009
9:30 AM 
Web Site: www.stbarbarachicago.org 

Chicago
Congregational Church of Jefferson Park, UCC Contact:
5320 W. Giddings Church Office  ccjpucc5320@att.net
(773) 725-0121
Rev. Gloria Hopewell
United Church of Christ
For this "All Creatures Great and Small" service, dogs should be leashed, cats and other small animals in carriers.  
Sunday, October 04, 2009
11:00 AM 
Web Site:  

Chicago
Edison Park Lutheran Church Contact:
6626 N. Oliphant Ave. Carole Edwards
(773) 631-9131
Lutheran
Blessing takes place in the park across the street from the church.  
Saturday, October 03, 2009
10: 00 AM 
Web Site: www.edisonparklutheran.org 

Chicago
St. Peter's Episcopal Church Contact:
621 W. Belmont Ave. Catherine Thomson
(773) 525-0844
Rev. Sarah Fisher
Episcopal
A reception with treats for animals and their humans follows the service.  
Saturday, October 10, 2009
11:00 AM 
Web Site: www.stpeterschicago.org 

Chicago
Unity Lutheran Church Contact:
1212 W. Balmoral Ave Pastor Fred Kinsey
(773) 697-4612
Lutheran
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.  
Saturday, October 03, 2009
11:00 AM 
Web Site:  

Chillicothe
St. Edward Parish Contact:
1216 North Sixth St. Parish Office
(309) 274-3809
Fr. Harris
Roman Catholic
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.  
Sunday, October 04, 2009
11:30 AM 
Web Site:  

Crystal Lake
Living Waters Lutheran Church Contact:
1808 Miller Rd Sharon
(815) 455-2525
Lisa
ELCA
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.  
Saturday, September 26, 2009
6:00 PM 
Web Site:  

Crystal Lake
Bethany Lutheran Church Contact:
76 W. Crystal Lake Ave. Church Office
(815) 459-2690
Amanda
ELCA
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.  
Sunday, October 04, 2009
11:15 AM 
Web Site:  

Des Plains
Trinity Lutheran Church Contact:
675 E. Algonquin Rd Linda Kuska  trinityldp@ameritech.net
(847) 827-6656
Lutheran
Blessing takes place on the church lawn.  
Sunday, October 04, 2009
2:00 PM 
Web Site:  

Evanston
St. Luke's Episcopal Church Contact:
939 Hinman Ave Annie Fitzpatrick  office@stlukesevanston.org
(847) 475-3630
Pamela Ippoliti
Episcopal
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.  
Sunday, October 04, 2009
10:00 AM 
Web Site: www.stlukesevanston.org 

Geneva
Old Geneva Court House Contact:
South 3rd St. Joyce Langeness  rjlprop@aol.com
(630) 232-0133
Interdenominational
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.  
Sunday, October 04, 2009
1:30 PM 
Web Site:  

Glenview
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Contact:
1775 Grove St. Cherie DiCesare
(847) 729-1525
Roman Catholic
 
Saturday, October 03, 2009
10:45 AM 
Web Site: www.olphglenview.org 

Homer Glen
Marian Village - Franciscan Sisters of Chicago Contact:
15624 Marian Dr Elizabeth Pienta
(708) 225-3756
Interdenominational
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!!  
Friday, October 02, 2009
10:00 AM 
Web Site:  

Joliet
Faith Lutheran Church Contact:
353 N. Midland Ave. Vicki Dallmann
(815) 725-4213
Rev. Jane Perkolup
Lutheran
 
Saturday, October 10, 2009
11:00 AM 
Web Site:  

Lisle
St. Joan of Arc Church Contact:
820 Division St. Margaret Barouski
(630) 963-4500
Roman Catholic
 
Saturday, October 03, 2009
9:00 AM 
Web Site:  

Macomb
St. Paul School Contact:
322 W. Washington Peg Kwacala
(309) 833-2470
Roman Catholic
This Mass and blessing are open to the public.  
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
5:15 PM 
Web Site:  

Naperville
Frontier Sports Park Shelter Contact:
3415 Book Rd. Rev. Kitty Benson  RevKittyBenson@comcast.net
(630) 718-1318
Interdenominational
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.  
Sunday, October 04, 2009
2:00 PM 
Web Site: www.unityinnaperville.org 

New Lenox
St. Jude Catholic Community Contact:
241 W. Second Ave. Denise Utter
(815) 463-4283
Roman Catholic
Blessing takes place in the St. Jude Picnic Grove and West Lot behind the church.  
Friday, October 02, 2009
4:30 PM 
Web Site:  

New Lenox
St. Jude Church Contact:
241 W. Second Ave. Denise Utter
(815) 463-4262
Roman Catholic
Blessing takes place in the picnic area by the parish grounds.  
Friday, October 02, 2009
4:30 PM 
Web Site: www.stjudes.org 

Normal
Mennonite Church of Normal Contact:
805 S. Cottage Ave. Pastor Matt Hickman  matt@normalmennonite.org
(309) 452-6622
Mennonite-Christian
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.  
Sunday, October 04, 2009
4:00 PM 
Web Site: www.normalmennonite.org 

Normal
Epiphany Church Contact:
1000 East College Ave Parish Office
(309) 452-2585
Lisa Weber
Roman Catholic
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."  
Sunday, October 04, 2009
1:30 PM 
Web Site:  

Olympia Fields
St. James Hospital & Health Centers Contact:
20201 S. Crawford Ave. Guest Relations
(708) 747-4000
Roman Catholic
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.  
Sunday, October 04, 2009
11:00 AM 
Web Site: www.stjameshospital.org 

Park Forest
Trinity Lutheran Church Contact:
10023 S. Beverly Ave. Church Office
(708) 747-8388
Rev. Linda Johnson Seyenkulo
ELCA Lutheran
We welcome all pets and owners to this outside service held on our lawn.  
Sunday, October 04, 2009
1:00 PM 
Web Site:  

Peotone
St. Paul the Apostle Church Contact:
511 N. Conrad St. at Joliet Rd. Paula  peotone908@aol.com
(708) 258-9096
Roman Catholic
 
Sunday, October 04, 2009
2:00 PM 
Web Site:  

Quincy
St. Francis Solanus Church Contact:
1721 College Ave. Parish Office
(217) 222-2898
Roman Catholic
 
Sunday, October 04, 2009
4:30 PM 
Web Site: www.stfrancissolanus.com 

Rosemont
Our Lady of Hope Church Contact:
9711 Devon Mary Puente
(847) 825-4673
Roman Catholic
 
Saturday, October 03, 2009
10:00 AM 
Web Site:  

Schiller Park
St. Beatrice Church Contact:
4157 Atlantic Ave. Parish Office
(847) 678-0138
Roman Catholic
 
Saturday, October 03, 2009
9:00 AM 
Web Site:  

Shiloh
Corpus Christi Church Contact:
205 Rasp St Pat Diel
(618) 632-7614
Roman Catholic
All types and sizes of animals are welcome. Please make sure all pets are properly secured.  
Saturday, October 03, 2009
9:00 AM 
Web Site:  

Shorewood
Holy Family Parish Contact:
600 Brook Forest Ave. Deacon Fred Straub  fstraub@hotmail.com
(815) 725-6880
Roman Catholic
 
Sunday, October 04, 2009
2:00 PM 
Web Site:  

Sugar Grove
John Shields Elementary School Contact:
85 S. Main St. Karen Pritchard
(630) 466-7436
Interdenominational
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.  
Saturday, October 03, 2009
11:00 AM 
Web Site:  

Woodridge
Christ the Servant Church Contact:
8700 Havens Dr Corinne Hanson
(630) 910-0770
Fr. Phil Danaher
Roman Catholic
Blessing takes place on the terrace outside the main entrance. All pets should be leashed or properly caged.  
Sunday, October 04, 2009
11:30 AM 
Web Site:  

Yorkville
St. Patrick Parish Contact:
406 Walnut St. Deacon Dale
(630) 553-6671
Roman Catholic
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.  
Sunday, October 04, 2009
1:00 PM 
Web Site: www.stpatrickyorkville.org 


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