My Dear Parish Family:

Next Saturday, October 6th at 12 Noon, the annual “Blessing of the Animals” will take place on the front steps of our Church. Bring all your “friends” to receive a blessing as we invoke the in- tercession of St. Francis of Assisi for all our so very much loved pets. Teddy and Petite (my two dogs) will certainly be there, but I cannot promise that Sebastian (my cat) will be there. He is often seen everywhere around the parish, but he may not think it necessary to get a blessing although believe me - he can sure use one! I look forward to seeing all your pets on Saturday, October 6th! And all of you too!

Fr. Justin, who has been with us for six weeks will be returning to Rome on Saturday, October 6th to continue his studies. We thank Fr. Justin for be- ing with us. Please pray for him that he will have a good and successful academic year in Rome.

I will leave on Sunday, October 7th in the late afternoon for St. Louis for another full week of studies for my preaching degree. As you all know, most of my work is done online and that seems to be going well. I am enjoying the reading assignments. Writing and communicating with my classmates and professor online is a new and strange activity for me, but I am doing my best. I will spend the week of Oct. 7th in an actual classroom and return by Friday so I will be back in time for the weekend Masses. Please continue to pray for me.

Until next week, St. Francis of Assisi pray for our pets! St. Benedict and Cardinal Cooke, Servant of God, pray for us!

Fr. Stephen P. Norton