Blessing of the animals

At St. John’s Episcopal Church in Oakdale last weekend, furry friends of different energy levels gathered with their families to receive blessings.

The Oakdale Historical Society and St. John’s Episcopal Church hosted their annual Blessing of the Animals event on Oct. 3, where dogs, both real and plush, were blessed under a cool autumn breeze.

“We honor both our pets and those animals who give us food, work on farms, and are part of the life cycle of the earth,” said Oakdale Historical Society vice president and St. John’s Episcopal Church administrator, Denise Conte. “We thank you, Lord, for the gift of your creation.”

Using a mixture of elements from the natural world, including salt, water, and an evergreen branch, Conte blessed each of the roughly dozen animals in attendance, which included dog breeds like corgis and pugs. All owners also received collar medals of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment.

The historical society and church also collected over a basketful of donated items for the Islip Animal Shelter, which was located on a table featuring treats for dogs, cats, and humans.

While only dogs attended this year’s event, Oakdale Historical Society president Maryann Almes said animals in previous years included reptiles, bunnies, and even a snail one child found in their backyard.

The Oakdale Historical Society is currently accepting submissions for their annual March of the Scarecrows contest at St. John’s Episcopal Church, with community voting taking place on Sunday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Setup is Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. Winners will receive cash prizes.

“We thank you for these gifts and ask that you help us be good and wise caretakers of this beautiful Earth,” Conte said. “Bless these animals and all animals whom we enjoy as companions.”