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Community Corner

Annual Pet Blessing Ceremony at Holy Spirit Church

Animal lovers gathered with their pets in honor of the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.

From Yorkshire Terriers to Golden Retrievers, dogs big and small gathered at for the annual pet blessing ceremony on Tuesday. Dozens of New Hyde Park residents came with their dogs to honor the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

“It was a great turnout this year,” said Father Joseph Nohs, pastor at Holy Spirit Church, who sprinkled holy water on each animal.

Father Joe, as many residents call him, has seen exotic pets such as snakes and tarantulas in previous years and attributed the rain to the dog-only turnout.

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Many residents spoke of pets they left at home who they wished they could have brought along. Thankfully for them, this year’s ceremony is different.

“We’re giving out holy water for pets who are sick or can’t make it at home,” Nohs said.

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Dog lover Mary Lous Caccavale brought her Terrier mix Joey Joe for the second time this week to get blessed.

"I try to give him all the blessings he can get," Caccavale said. 

Like many pet owners, Diane Buono, who adopted her dog from North Shore Animal League, described her Terrier mix Spunky as a “big part of our family.”

“Animals are very important,” Buono reminded her young daughter.

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