Saturday, October 4th we had a wonderful time welcoming our canine friends, as well as two majestic horses from the Vancouver Police Department. The horses arrived early, and were carefully groomed by their handlers, officers Darcy Henkel and Richard Vanstone. A crowd of children watched every move they made. Then the officers mounted their horses and rode around to the front doors of the church, facing Granville Street, and waited patiently for their blessing. It was a beautiful service to honour St Francis. As the People’s Warden noted, “It was such a pleasure to have so many dogs in the church and the horses on alert at the door. It was soul satisfying!”
Deacon of the Diocese of New Westminster, the Reverend Karin Fulcher had this to say about the Blessing, “It was a beautiful fall day, and the sun shining through the windows of St John's added to the joy of the service. There were about 12 dogs present, of varying shapes and sizes, and all were very well-behaved.
One of the joys was to see the dogs interacting (greeting each other as doggies do!!!) and so patiently allowing the children to touch them. It was funny to see their reaction as some of the dogs responded with a slobbery kiss.
The service was sweet and simple - two lovely hymns, beautiful prayers, and the two Father Michaels (Fuller and Forshaw) so gently laying hands on the animals present to bless them.
It was particularly moving to be able to honour those animal friends who have departed, and yet still touch our hearts, by writing their names and lighting a candle in their memory. As my son's dog had died 5 days earlier it was a great comfort to me.
It was my first time to a Service of Blessing of Animals and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a very visible witness of the wonderfully welcoming spirit of SJS.
Images: Top, In his cassock the Reverend Fr. Michael Fuller leads the Vancouver Police Department horse and rider to the front door. Middle, the horses are at the door. Bottom left, Father Fuller blesses some dogs. Below 1 and homepage, Father Forshaw and Father Fuller bless the horses. Below 2, the Reverend Karin Fulcher and Summer. PHOTOS: Christine Hatfull