Pictured: Third-grade students at Saint Jude have chosen to dedicate ten minutes of their recess each day to prayer after learning about Saint Carlo Acutis and Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati.

In celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Erie Catholic continued a tradition of gathering together with pets, families, and members of our school campus communities for a special pet blessing. With joyful hearts (and some wagging tails), families brought their animal companions to receive a blessing from our campus pastors. After the prayer, each pet received an individual blessing a sign of our interconnectedness with all of creation. A Saint Who Saw All Life as Sacred The Feast of St. Francis, celebrated each year on October 4th, to honor Francis of Assisi. St. Francis was known for his deep humility, joyful spirit, and reverence for all living things. He saw every creature as a reflection of God’s love, referring to animals as brothers and sisters and the earth itself as our shared home. Bringing this teaching to life in a school setting helps students understand that faith extends beyond the classroom. It teaches them to recognize God’s presence in everyday experiences and to approach the world with kindness and responsibility. Living Our Faith in Everyday Ways At Erie Catholic, our mission is to form students in mind, body, and spirit and that means making space for faith in the rhythms of daily life. The Pet Blessing is a wonderful example of that. It invites students and families to connect what they learn about saints, Scripture, and Church teaching to something tangible: the unconditional love of a pet, the joy of shared community, and the sacredness of creation. Celebrate the Spirit of St. Francis at Home Here are a few simple ways your family can honor the legacy of St. Francis and live out our Catholic values this week: Bless Your Pets at Home: If your child has another pet at home or simply wants to revisit the experience, take a moment to say a prayer together for your family pets. Encourage your child to say what they’re thankful for about their pet and ask for God's continued care over them. Spend Time in Creation: Take a family walk, visit a local park, or simply sit outside and notice the beauty of nature. Talk about how St. Francis saw every part of creation as a reflection of God’s love. Be of Service to God's Creatures: Donate gently used towels or pet food to a local animal shelter or consider collecting items from neighbors, friends, and family to give to a shelter in need. An act of stewardship and compassion aligns perfectly with Catholic Social Teaching. Read Together: Share a story about St. Francis or animals in Scripture. Use this as a chance to talk about how we’re called to love and protect all living things. Say the Prayer of St. Francis Together: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace...This prayer is a powerful way to reinforce the values of empathy, peace, and humility at home. By bringing these small acts into your family life, you’re helping your child grow in faith and character—living out the message of St. Francis in everyday ways. In Closing We are grateful to our campus pastors for sharing in this wonderful event for our school communities. Whether a pet was present in person, in a photo, or held close in spirit, we hope this tradition left everyone feeling a little more grounded, joyful, and connected in faith. May we continue to raise children who are kind, compassionate, and faithful toward all of God’s creation.