OLM Celebrates Feast of St. Francis with Mass, Blessing of the Animals
Friday, October 3 was filled with extra blessings in the OLM school and parish community. Students, faculty, staff and families gathered as a community for First Friday Mass at 9 a.m. which for the first time this school year included the students in Ms. Ashly Smith’s Pre-K4 class. The Mass also marked OLM Associate Pastor Fr. Joseph Brodeur’s first time preaching a formal Mass to the school community. The students in sixth grade hosted the Mass by doing readings, serving as altar servers and gift bearers, and gathering as a class to celebrate with their families afterwards.
In the afternoon, Father Brodeur celebrated the traditional Blessing of the Animals in the school’s back parking lot. Dogs, cats, and even gerbils were on hand to receive his special blessing in honor of the Oct. 4 Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, who, through his love of all of God’s creation, is traditionally celebrated as the Patron Saint of Animals..
With a tradition of excellence in Catholic education since 1951, Our Lady of Mercy School supports its students as they strive to be the saints and scholars that God is calling them to be. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Pre-K through Grade 8, co-educational Catholic school located in East Greenwich, RI offers its students the opportunity to pursue excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts in a nurturing environment built upon the teachings of the Catholic Church
