Thanks to swell correspondent Beth Hinchcliffe for the following: 

As happens every year on the Sunday nearest the feast day of St. Francis (patron saint of animals), the pews of St. Andrew’s church were filled last Sunday for the annual Blessing of the Animals. Families brought their furry feline and canine buddies (some wearing new autumn bandanas or Patriots shirts); tiny hands clutched favorite plush stuffies (equally welcomed for the joy they bring); and individualized blessings were also given to photos of beloved pets who are no longer here.

St. Andrew’s rector, the Rev. Adrian Robbins-Cole, led the blessing where the priests went out into the congregation, cupped little furry faces in their hands, and called the pets by name as they spoke personalized words to each.

On a day devoted to celebrating the loving bond between animals and people, a story which captured hearts was of Ruby Littlefield.  Three days earlier, the abandoned Airedale had been homeless and desperate for someone to care. On Thursday, her new mom Suzy drove eight hours each way to bring her to Wellesley, and to her loving forever home with Suzy and Josh. The gentle girl made her first Wellesley friends at the Blessing, welcomed at the door by cocker spaniel Cleo who was taking part for the 12th consecutive year.

A moving part of the yearly service is the remembrance of the beloved fur companions who have gone before, when everyone calls out their names and holds them tightly in prayer. Then voices and howls mingled together in the traditional closing hymn:  “All things bright and beautiful, / All creatures great and small. /  All things wise and wonderful: / The Lord God made them all.”

Where to worship in Wellesley, Mass.