Blessing of Animals Sunday

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church will present its annual “Blessing of the Animals” Sunday at 2 p.m.
The blessing is an outdoor worship service celebrating the animals with whom people share their lives. Non-pet owners are welcome as well.
The church blesses animals each fall to commemorate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved Christian saints. The animals will be blessed as individuals along with their owners. Stuffed animals are welcome as well. Pets who cannot attend may be blessed in absentia by request of their owners.
The service will be held on the terrace of the Trowbridge House, 808 First St., across from the church. Refreshments will be served for both pets and humans. In the event of rain the service will be held on the porch of Trowbridge House.
This year’s canine guest of honor will be Bubba, an 8-year-old survivor of the streets of Bakersfield, Calif.
A Benji look-alike, Bubba now resides with Daytona, the United States Army protection dog who was the 2011 canine honoree at the blessing. They lived in Muscogee, Oklahoma and San Antonio, Texas before moving to Franklin with Elmo and Kitty Vinas.
Call 238-0918 for more information. All animals must be leashed.