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All creatures, great and small, received a special blessing from the Rev. John Hartman at Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge on Sunday.

In observance of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, a number of area churches held “Blessing of Animals” ceremonies.

Hartman, who is the rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Kingston, said over 100 animals attended his service at his church just prior to his visit to Blue Chip. “There were also three donkeys and a whole bunch of ducks,” he said. “If we truly believe that animals are truly God’s creatures, then why shouldn’t we bring them into the church?”

Dyan Dinstel, a parishioner of Grace Episcopal Church who also volunteers at Blue Chip, pointed out that plastic was put down on the carpet before the animals entered the church.

“We’ve never had an accident,” she said, despite the fact that people have brought all kinds of pets — from snakes to hermit crabs — over the years.

“There was a mouse one year,” Dinstel said. “He even put his little hand upon the cage when he was blessed.”

“I bless you, in the name of the creator, redeemer and sustainer,” said Hartman as he waved his hand, making the sign of the cross over the heads of Tyson, Hamilton, Simon and Jack, a few of the smaller dogs at the shelter.

As she paced around a small room, a nervous Jack Russell terrier-mix named Ursula calmed down as Hartman blessed her and her 10 three-week-old pups.

Scott and Patricia Gozikowski, who are Blue Chip volunteers, brought their dogs Henry (a border collie), Betty (a chihuahua/pug mix) and Brock (a cocker spaniel) to the service to be blessed. The couple adopted all three dogs from Blue Chip.

As Dinstel led Hartman around the grounds, she introduced him to all of the animals, even two pigs named Charlotte and Otis, and a goat named Mirabelle. Hartman blessed each and every one.

“Last year, Blue Chip brought dogs to the church that needed to be rescued,” Dinstel said, but the dogs couldn’t get there this year due to scheduling conflicts.

“When Dyan became a volunteer at Blue Chip, I said I’d be more than happy to come here,” said Hartman, adding that he would like to make the service an annual event at the shelter.

“We’ve never had a blessing here,” said Blue Chip owner Marge Bart. “We’re so happy. I think it’s awesome that all of the animals got blessed.”

The Rev. Joseph Rafferty blesses Dallas residents Don and MaryAnn Hopkins’ pet Corgi, named Morgan, during a Blessing of the Animals service at the Prince of Peace Episcopal Church in Dallas on Sunday. Media Rev. Joseph Rafferty blesses Dallas residents Don and MaryAnn Hopkins’ pet Corgi, named Morgan, during a Blessing of the Animals service at the Prince of Peace Episcopal Church in Dallas on Sunday. Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader

By Camille Fioti

For Times Leader

Reach the Times Leader at 570-991-6386 or on Twitter @TLSteveMocarsky.

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