On Wednesday afternoon, Fr. Jordan will bless your pets. 3:00 PM in the church parking lot. Pets are special creatures for many people, especially single householders and elderly folks who live alone. I used to take my dog to see my mother when she was in a nursing center. She loved having Polska in her lap. Each night when I called her, Mom would ask about Polska and what she had done that day. The bond between person and pet is different from any other relationship that a human being might have. Why? A Franciscan priest has noted "... the communication between fellow creatures is at its most basic. Eye-to eye, a man and his dog, or a woman and her cat, are two creatures in love." A priest friend who lives in Rockville has a dog named Chocolate. To visit the priest is to visit with Chocolate. The dog is so very special to this priest. And, as I hear, one of my predecessors, Fr. Foley was dedicated to his dog, Victory, I believe. To bring an animal to the church for a blessing on this day is most logical: "church is the place where the bond of creation is celebrated" wrote Fr. Mackin, OFM.
