Pet blessings abound

Several local churches will bless animals this weekend to commemorate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

SATURDAY
Shelton: blessing and bake sale from 10 a.m. to noon at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 25 Church St., near the Huntington Green. The Rev. Janet Waggoner will bless each animal. All pets welcome.

Hamden: blessing in courtyard of Mount Carmel Congregational Church, 3284 Whitney Ave. Public invited to worship with their pets at 10 a.m. Animal food and blankets collected. Call 248-7408 or visit http://www.mccucc.com/.

Seymour: blessing at an outdoor altar at 10 a.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 91 Church St. Call 888-6596.

SUNDAY

New Haven: blessing at 11 a.m. in front of Trinity Episcopal Church on the Green, corner Temple and Chapel streets

New Haven: blessing at 4 p.m., St. Thomas's Episcopal Church, 830 Whitney Ave. All animals (even stuffed) and their human companions invited to the church's second annual Blessing of the Animals on October 5 at 4:00 p.m. The blessings will be followed by an ice cream social.

Westbrook: blessing at 11:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 53 S. Main St. Bring a nonperishable pet food to donate. Call (860) 669-7681.

Hamden: blessing held on the south lawn of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Ave., at 2 p.m., open to all. Call 281-3563.

Ansonia: Christ Episcopal Church, 56 Cliff St. at 10 a.m., and First Congregational Church, 44 S. Cliff St. at 10:30 a.m. Dogs must be leashed and other pets must be in closed containers. Bring dog or cat food to donate. Call 734-2715 or 734-0544.

Westbrook: 11:30 a.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 53 S. Main St., bring nonperishable pet food. Call (860) 669-7681.