This piece was originally featured in the Maitland Mercury - 25 October 2024.

Pets great and small were packed in the car and brought to St Joseph's East Maitland recently for the church's third Annual Pet Blessing.

There were all kinds of dogs from a Great Dane and German Shepherd on the larger side, to a Chihuahua on the smaller side who sat politely as Father George Anthicad blessed them with holy water.

But the smallest pet by far was Harley the bearded dragon, who waited patiently in his carrier for his turn.

Held on Tuesday, October 22, the pet blessing is held each year near the Feast Day of St Francis, who is the Catholic church's patron saint of animals and the environment.

Chisholm pastoral region Youth Ministry Coordinator Rebecca Piefke said the pet blessing is an opportunity to bring people together.

"It's great to see everybody come together and be happy to be together, and really build that community spirit," she said.

Animal lover Margaret Beavers attended the pet blessing with her Maltese terrier Eddie, and said she thinks of the blessing as a bit of protection for him.

"It's my pet insurance having him blessed," she said.

Eddie, who is 8, was given to Ms Beavers during the COVID pandemic by her daughter.

"I said I'm not allowed to have a dog and I don't want to have a dog, and I'm telling you now he's not coming in my bedroom, she said mum you do what you like with him," she said.

"That night I locked him in the laundry and he cried and scratched on the door half the night until I got up and opened the door and he ran in and got on the end of my bed and that's where he's been ever since."

Before blessing each animal with holy water, Father George Anthicad shared with the crowd that animals have a part in all human life, and that St Francis loved all living things.

That evening, St Joseph's church also held the Youth Mass outside so the pets could join in. 

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