Pets in the spotlight at Bensonhurst blessing of the animals

Brooklyn pets had their paws in the spotlight on Saturday, September 17 as a special pet blessing commenced at the New Utrecht Reformed Church.

The lawn of the church – 18th Avenue between 83rd and 84th Streets — was open to pets of all varieties to receive the special one-on-one blessing. The individual attention for each animal, according to the church’s Pastor, E.J. Emerson, was done in the spirit of animal-loving figures like St. Francis of Assisi – who much like herself, she said, “take particular delight in animals of all kinds, believing they are God’s special gift to people.

“Our pets bless us with unqualified love and faithfulness,” Emerson said. “This is our opportunity to thank God for the joy they give us, even as we invite a special blessing for them.”

The afternoon also featured a bake sale, hot dogs and other refreshments, the proceeds of which will go directly toward the restoration of the church sanctuary, which, according to Emerson, was originally built in 1828.

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