Associate Deacon Michael Underwood and Associate Kathy Underwood with their dog, Lily.
The Church celebrates the feast of St. Francis on October 4, and in many faith communities, this comes with a blessing of pets. At St. Viator Catholic Community in Las Vegas, Associate Deacon Michael Underwood – a pet owner himself – blessed the pets of the parish.
“I blessed about a hundred animals, including dogs and cats and even a fish and a snake! We also blessed our beloved dog, Lily,” Deacon Mike said, of the pet that he and his wife, Associate Kathy Underwood, brought to the blessing. “Lily has been with me through spinal surgeries and falls. She’s my girl through and through and an important part of our family.”
Parishioners at St. Viator gathered outside the church after Sunday Masses with pets on their leashes, in their strollers, or, in the case of the snake, wrapped around the body of its owner. Some of the pets are getting up there in years, and some families even brought the ashes of deceased pets for a blessing. Deacon Mike, who serves in pastoral ministry for the parish, relishes gathering people around a common love and passion.
“Animals are so important to so many people. Some people who came for the blessing might not otherwise come to church often. Others who come to church regularly also brought family members who usually don’t come. This is a small way to bring all these parts of our community together,” Deacon Mike said.
Thanks to parishioner Jan Bellinghausen for the great photos!
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While Catholics might be more accustomed to the sprinkling rite at Easter Masses, Deacon Mike takes a different tack with these families and their pets. “Some pet blessings are sort of a quick sprinkle over the group. I like to visit with each pet and family individually, and these are encounters of ministry for me,” he said. “Each blessing gives me a few minutes of one-on-one time, visiting with people and hearing their stories. Spending this time listening lets me hear about what is important to people. And inviting them for the pet blessing is a way of evangelizing through this connection.”
St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, the environment, and ecology, pray for us!