20051002 - After Rev. Barry Langley blessed 5-year-old Jack Maroney's
dog, Bailey, the labrador retriever jumped up to give him a kiss.
Franciscan friars from Sacred Heart Church perform a blessing of pets
Sunday afternoonat the Sacred Heart Academy on Florida Avenue. The
ceremony is done in the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi before the
October 4 feast of St Francis. "We'd do it twice a year if we could,"
said Rev. Langley. "We love it." This is the first time it has been
done at Sacred Heart, which was taken over by the Franciscans from
Jesuits in July. (Brian Cassella / St. Petersburg Times)
