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St. James blesses creatures great and small
BOARDMAN
With a roll of paper towels tucked under her arm, Janet Becker was ready.
“We’ve always done it outside before,” she said of St. James Episcopal Church’s annual Blessing of the Animals. “But the new deacon wants to do it inside the church. So we’re prepared.”
In fact there were several reasons why the Rev. Shawn Dickerson wanted to take the animals inside.
“It’s hard to hear out here because of traffic,” he told the crowd gathered before him at the front steps of the church on Glenwood Avenue. “And it’s incredibly hot!”
The most important reason, however, had nothing to do with the weather.
“We’re asking to bless these animals that mean so much to us,” he said. “It’s appropriate to bring them into our worship space.”
So while all dogs — and cats, of course — go to heaven but you still aren’t likely to see them in church, that was not the case Sunday at St. James.
Everyone, two-legged and four-legged, proceeded up the steps behind the Rev. Mr. Dickerson and the Rev. John Wigle, retiring priest, for the blessing in recognition of Rogation Sunday.
It’s an old English tradition that has even older roots in the early church, they explained.
The day is a time to give thanks for God’s creation, offer prayers for local lands that sustain the community and remember companion animals who give joy and comfort.
Animals such as Grizzly, a 7-year-old Rottweiler.
His owner, Artie Zaccone of Youngstown, can’t remember life without him. “We’re the same age!” Artie said.
But Grizzly just had surgery for cancer, said Artie’s dad, Art. So this blessing would be to help him with his recovery. They were joined by Artie’s mom, Cheri, and brother, Michael, 3.
They walked up the steps together to stake out a spot in the pews along with a plethora of assorted mutts — retrievers, spaniels, shepherds, a greyhound, a bichon frise, terriers and a poodle, among others, along with some outnumbered cats.
Some people didn’t bring their pets, only pictures.
“I can’t bring my dog,” said Becker, who has an 11-year-old Boston terrier named Lexie Sue. “Because she won’t behave, so we bring pictures,” she said, adding she’d bring Lexie if she wanted the blessing “broken up in a hurry.”
Other pets were the representatives for their furry tribe.
Chester, 11, a Jack Russell terrier, came down from Liberty with his owner, Jeff Downey-Myer.
“We have three dogs and two cats,” Downey-Myer said. “He represents the whole menagerie.”
“He’s the only one I feel safe bringing,” he added.
There were special prayers for animals who are sick, dying, working, or who are cruelly treated, unloved or unfed.
A Shih Tzu named Vader doesn’t have to worry about being treated cruelly anymore. He proceeded toward his blessing in the arms of his owner, Lisa Maruschak of Boardman.
“He had been thrown away,” she said, “into Mill Creek Park last year” with two other Shih Tzus. “They were probably used for breeding.”
Other pets were remembered in spirit. Owners lighted candles for them.
Debbie Moyer lighted one for Sassie, her cat, and she and her sister, Linda Ruggles, both lighted one for their mother’s cat, Shadow.
Ruggles’ cat Tucker, a 4-year-old orange tabby, was there to show off his leash-walking skills.
After a concluding prayer and an invitation to join in a celebration at the church as Mr. Dickerson is ordained into the priesthood Friday, the service concluded with a song.
What Chester lacked in tonality, he made up for with enthusiasm.