RELIGION

Fountain Hills Ascension Church blesses local pets and animals to honor Saint Francis

A turtle is blessed by Father Jilson Panakkal of the Ascension Church.

(Submitted photo/Linda Kavanagh)

The Ascension Church in Fountain Hills blessed the animals on Oct. 5 to honor the Saint Francis, the Catholic patron saint of ecology and animals.

Rather than the usual congregation of followers, Father Jilson Panakkal, the church pastor, was greeted by the barks, tail wags, and meows of dogs and cats, according to a press release.

Panakkal blessed canine and cat visitors, but an expected animal guest came in the form of a turtle owned by parishioners John and Donna Biczo.

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