Friday, Oct. 3 was filled with extra blessings in the Our Lady of Mercy school and parish community. Students, faculty, staff and families gathered 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-K 4 class. The Mass also marked OLM Assistant Pastor Father Joseph Brodeur’s first time preaching to the school community. The students in sixth grade participated by proclaiming 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 a 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.
