St. Francis – Holy Cross Episcopal Church

Ben Harrington, Connor Houghton and Ryan Compagna read stories of St. Francis and the animals as Henry and Henriette the chickens await their blessing in their box.

Officer Kelly and the new Weare K9 dog were a special hit at the blessing. The dog, presently just designated 26, showed a special interest in Tom Beland's rabbits. So criminal bunnies better watch out around Weare!

Baronness, Martha Peterson's horse, gets her blessing.

Chamois (Shammy?), John Heckman's new puppy, probably won the cuteness award.

A great turn-out of human animals came for the blessing.

Bonnie the goat, with Holy Cross treasurer Yvette Desmarais.

Shannon Tolley of Holy Cross and Shannon Camaro of the S.P.C.A. made it happen!

Pentecost 18 September 26, 2010

Amos 6:1a, 4-7Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

1 Timothy 6:6-19Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

Luke 16:19-31

Once upon a time there was a young man, the son of a prosperous merchant. He had a love for good times, rich friends, music, partying, and fashionable clothing. One day he was selling cloth in the marketplace for his father when a beggar came by, asking for alms. Finishing his business deal, the young man ran after the beggar, emptying his pockets and giving the beggar all that he had. His friends mocked him for his charity; his father was enraged.

He sought glory on the battlefield, but without success, captured and imprisoned for a year. He suffered a serious illness. He began to spend time alone, wandering in the countryside, praying in abandoned churches. He took to nursing lepers who were shunned by others in society. One day in the marketplace, in a showdown with his father, he stripped off all his rich clothes, renounced his patrimony, and declared his dedication to the poor.

You will have guessed, perhaps, whom Iâ€™m talking about: St. Francis of Assisi.