Paws, Prayers & Blessings: St. Mary School Celebrates St. Francis of Assisi

In celebration of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Mary School welcomed students and their families to a special Pet Blessing on Friday, October 2, 2026.

The blessing was held on the St. Mary School back lawn and was led by Father Peter and Deacon Bill, who offered a special blessing for the beloved pets of St. Mary School families.

St. Francis of Assisi is widely recognized as the patron saint of animals and is remembered for his deep love and respect for all of God’s creation. The annual Pet Blessing gives our school community an opportunity to celebrate that love while bringing families, students, and their pets together in faith.

Parents brought their pets to school for the 9:00 a.m. blessing, while students whose parents were present were called outside to join their families. Dogs, cats, and other beloved pets were welcomed as the school community gathered for this special tradition.

St. Mary School is grateful to Father Peter and Deacon Bill for sharing this meaningful celebration with our school community and for helping our students recognize the importance of caring for and appreciating all of God’s creatures.

St. Mary Catholic Community School in Crown Point opened in 1872. The school serves students from Junior Pre-Kindergarten (for three-year-olds) through eighth grade. St. Mary’s faculty teaches a rich curriculum supported by cutting-edge technology, with faith as the cornerstone. To learn more about St. Mary School or to schedule a tour, call 663-0676 or visit school.stmarycp.org