Native Focus: Pets and Preaching

For one weekend solely, West Rotorua’s St Barnabas Anglican church opened its doorways to all worshippers, be it two toes or 4, internet hosting a particular service observing the feast of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of companion animals and the pure setting.

Reverend Susan Cooper mentioned St Francis was identified to have had a detailed bond with the pure world.

“There’s quite a bit about him preaching to the birds and he thought of them his brothers and sisters simply the identical as people,” she mentioned.

The service included a blessing of the congregations’ animals, extending to all that may be placed on a leash, in a cage, or a fish bowl.

And there have been blessings for furry buddies who could not be there within the flesh, with grieving pet house owners bringing {a photograph} to recollect them by.

“To carry a photograph signifies that they nonetheless keep in mind them, and that love goes on – it is only a means of giving thanks,” Cooper mentioned.

The service was a part of the Season of Creation, which acknowledges the Earth, local weather change and the setting; and gives a reminder to take motion.

Cooper thinks of animals like St Francis did and believes there’s a spot for them past the bodily world.

“Whether or not there is a pet heaven and a human heaven – St Francis handled all of the creatures as his brothers and sisters, so I suppose he thought and determined that heaven was for every little thing that breathed.

“For me, you realize, their souls meet our souls so why should not they share heaven too?”