Pet blessings this weekend at Catholic churches in suburbs
Some 40 Catholic churches in the Chicago Archdiocese are hosting outdoor pet blessing ceremonies this weekend in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. One of the first was Friday, St. Francis' feast day, at St. Emily in Mount Prospect.
Pets of all types, shapes and sizes are welcome, but all animals must be safely secured or on leashes.
Celebrations Saturday include ones at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Hope, 9711 W. Devon Ave., Rosemont, and at the Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe, 1600 Park Ave., Libertyville; 11 a.m. at St. Paul of the Cross, 320 S. Washington Ave., Park Ridge; 12 p.m. at Mary, Seat of Wisdom, 920 Granville Ave., Park Ridge, and St. Zachary, 567 W. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines; and 1 p.m. at St. Edna, 2525 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights.
On Sunday, there will be a pet blessing at 4 p.m. at St. Joseph, 121 E. Maple Ave., Libertyville.