Commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi, Monk and Confessor

Holy Cross Parish celebrated Holy Mass and the blessing of pets with a menagerie of animals including dogs, cats, birds, and a tortoise on Sunday October 4, 2009.  Children were overjoyed by these pets and participated with great enthusiasm in the mass and the blessing at 11:00 A.M.

During S.O.C.L. classes students (all levels) were invited to see a video about the life of St. Francis of Assisi.  The students also participated in activities related to the video.  Not only did the students prepare treat bags for all pets, they threw bird seeds and bread on the parish lawn for the wild birds. 

S.O.C.L. teachers provided animal crackers and beverages for the students.  They were encouraged by their teachers (Claire Centralla, Michele Lazor, Karen Paulsen and Jamie Santos) to treat all the creatures of the earth as did Jesus and St. Francis.