Animal Blessing Service

12 Oct 2012

On Friday 5th October the Junior School gym was the location of the biannual Animal Blessing Service, held this year close to the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

Our service was very ably led by Year Five pupils and Fr Jamie our local parish priest. We were also joined by Mr Oliver, our new Principal.

Present at the service were pets of all shapes, sizes and species, including a hen, a pony, lots of dogs and cats, some snails, guinea pigs, hamsters and even a caterpillar! The service was a lovely occasion and an opportunity for the children and parents to come together to share and
show their pets to friends and staff of the school. Fr Jamie reminded us how important all animals are to us, how they make us feel good and how they are part of God’s wonderful creation.

We also thought about those animals who are not treated kindly and the children organised a retiring collection for the Four Paws Rescue Centre which amassed a total of £110.

After the service the pets, children, parents and staff all spilled out onto the playground for a chance to meet with the other pets, stroke them, have a cuddle and feed them the treats provided.

It was wonderful to see so many of the OLA community coming together in this way and well done to all the animals as they behaved so beautifully.

Well done Miss Meadows and Year Five!