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Noreen Deady and Pixie, Julia Deady and Bran and Samantha Cole and Milo at the Blessing of the Pets at St John’s on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
PET owners and their loved ones gathered in the grounds of St John’s Church on Sunday afternoon for a special blessing ceremony.
The annual ‘Blessing Of The Pets’ drew an exclusive audience of canines and their owners (maybe all Tralee cats are atheists) for the short service from Fr Francis Nolan and Fr Sean Jones.
Fr Francis explained the purpose of the ceremony.
“It’s really to celebrate the gift of life. During the past week we had the feast of St Francis of Assisi and he had a great affinity with nature, animals and creation. So we try to celebrate life in all forms because all life is connected — humans, animals and nature,” he said.
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After a short reading, a song was played and then holy water was used to bless the dogs.
People were then invited to express what their dogs mean to them and there were some heartwarming stories told, including one where a woman found a dog who was ‘just skin and bone’ in the woods in Glenageenty. She took him in, nursed him back to health and seven years later, they are inseparable.
Others said that you never come back to an empty house when you have a pet and everyone present encouraged people who don’t have a pet to get one as it will change their lives. Scroll down for photos…
Fr Francis Nolan and Fr Sean Jones with pet owners at the Blessing of the Pets at St John’s on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
One lady and her dog at the Blessing of the Pets at St John’s on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Fr Francis Nolan giving the Blessing of the Pets at St John’s on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Owners and their pets at the Blessing of the Pets at St John’s on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Blessing of the Pets at St John’s on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Nicole and Adam Walker with Benji at the Blessing of the Pets at St John’s on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Fr Francis Nolan at the Blessing of the Pets at St John’s on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Richard O’Halloran with Belle at the Blessing of the Pets at St John’s on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Teresa Lynch and Pixie and Kathleen Edwards and Mopsy at the Blessing of the Pets at St John’s on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
