HONORING ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI; ANIMAL LOVERS GALORE TURN OUT FOR BLESSING.Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Daily News Staff Writer Dogs strained on leashes, eager to rub noses with other canines at the St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church's Animal Fair, while a lone cat struggled at her carrier door to get out, and two love birds watched the spectacle from their perch on their owner's shoulder. The morning blessing of the animals at the Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. church drew pets of all sorts - dogs, cats, bunnies and birds - to the congregation's second annual event. One Simi Valley couple said they brought their poodle poodle, popular breed of dog probably originating in Germany but generally associated with France, where it has been raised for centuries. There are three varieties, differing in size only. Violetta and Pomeranian Paganini for the 11 a.m. blessing, and they'd be back for the 2 p.m. ceremony with their golden retriever golden retriever, breed of large sporting dog developed primarily in Scotland in the mid-19th cent. It stands about 23 in. (58.4 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 60 to 75 lb (27.2–34.1 kg). Dante and their Lhasa apso Lhasa apso (lä`sə ăp`sō), breed of small, alert nonsporting dog developed in Tibet many centuries ago. It stands about 11 in. (27.9 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 13 to 15 lb (5.9–6.8 kg). Jezebel Jezebel (jĕz`əbĕl), in the First Book of Kings, Phoenician princess who was the wife of King Ahab and the mother of Ahaziah, Jehoram, and Athaliah. . ``These dogs are part of our family, and God loves animals the way he loves people,'' said Maggie Riley as Paganini leapt at her ankles and ran in circles at her heels. ``We want his blessing for a long life for them - health - and for some behavioral problems.'' The fair was an outgrowth of the congregation's yearly celebration of St. Francis of Assisi Day, which is today. Although the saint is primarily known for watching over animals, St. Francis also is patron saint patron saint Saint to whose protection and intercession a person, society, church, place, profession, or activity is dedicated. The choice is usually made on the basis of some real or presumed relationship (e.g., St. of charity and social justice. The congregation will celebrate those things, as well as his love for animals, at a solemn Mass Solemn Mass (in Latin Missa solemnis) or Solemn High Mass or simply High Mass, when used as technical terms, not merely as descriptions, refer to the full ceremonial form of the Tridentine Mass, to which rules applied which were rigidly distinct from those at 9 a.m. today. But the fair on Saturday was all about fun and the animals. ``We want to celebrate the important part that animals play in our lives,'' said the Rev. Julie Christian. ``People who have pets will tell you that their lives are more interesting, more fun because of their four-legged friends.'' The fair also included a petting zoo, horse exhibits, arts and crafts arts and crafts, term for that general field of applied design in which hand fabrication is dominant. The term was coined in England in the late 19th cent. as a label for the then-current movement directed toward the revivifying of the decorative arts. vendors, live music, a barbecue and a white elephant sale A White Elephant Sale is a collection of used items being sold by a non-professional group of individuals second hand, much akin to a yard sale or garage sale, usually as a fund-raiser. . During the blessing, Christian read a prayer over the animals, then sprinkled them with water. While she was speaking, Paganini's attention was elsewhere as he strained upward to watch a tiny black and white tabby being bottle fed by her newly adoptive mother. Penne Letham, a church volunteer, said she found the little kitten, thought to be about 10 days old, behind her barn on Wednesday and decided to adopt her. The woman said she'd already committed to helping out at the animal fair, so she brought the kitten along. ``I can't leave her home all day, because I had to feed her,'' Letham said. ``I've got a whole lot of animals at home. I figure what's one more.'' Many of the pet owners said the blessing was important to the animal, just as baptism was important to them. Arturo Moreno, 27, of Simi Valley, has a small business breeding love birds. He said he has each of the babies blessed before they are sold. ``I'm a spiritual person, and I believe all animals are God's creation,'' Moreno said. ``I feel just like people are baptized bap·tize v. bap·tized, bap·tiz·ing, bap·tiz·es v.tr. 1. To admit into Christianity by means of baptism. 2. a. To cleanse or purify. b. To initiate. 3. , the (birds) need to be blessed.'' CAPTION(S): 3 photos PHOTO (1 -- color) The Rev. Julie Christian blesses a puppy for Bianca Walters, 5, during Saturday's animal fair at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church. (2 -- color) A 10-day-old kitten is bottle fed at the animal fair by her new owner, Penne Letham, who said she found the tiny kitty behind her barn. Tina Gerson/Daily News (3 -- ran in Conejo edition only) Arturo Moreno shares a moment with his love birds, which he brought to St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church's Animal Fair for blessing. Tina Gerson/Daily News |
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