Calvary Episcopal Church Sponsors
The Annual Blessing of the Animals

All faiths welcome!

When: Saturday, October 2, 2010 from 1 - 3 p.m. (rain or shine)
Where: Endicott Park, Danvers (click here for directions)

Photos of Blessing 2007.

Endicott Park is located on Forest Street in Danvers MA.

DIRECTIONS TO ENDICOTT PARK

From Route 128
In Danvers take exit for Route 62 West. Follow Route 62 for approximately two miles. Take a left onto Forest Street. Continue for 0.4 miles, Endicott Park is on the right.

From Route 1 or I-95
In Danvers take exit for Route 62 East. Take a right onto Forest Street (just after the Danvers Animal Hospital). Continue on Forest Street for 0.4 miles. Endicott Park is on the right.

Check out the Endicott Park map.

Calvary Episcopal Church Sponsors 6th Annual Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 4, 2008 From 1 -3 p.m. at Endicott Park, Danvers See the local coverage of the event. DANVERS, MA – Many of us simply can’t live without them. Two-legged or four-legged –- even eight-legged –- most are the creatures that enrich human lives and show us by example what it is to love unconditionally, trust wholeheartedly, be patient and good humored with one another … and with us, and live authentically and joyfully in the moment. According to the APPMA (American Pet Products Manufacturing Association), 93 percent of dog and cat owners credit “companionship, love, company, affection,” as the key attributes that animals add to the human dynamic. To celebrate the animals in our lives, and to emphasize their importance to us as spiritual beings, Calvary Episcopal Church sponsored the sixth annual Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 4, 2008, at Endicott Park, Danvers, from 1 to 3 p.m. The Blessing coincides with the annual Feast of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals. The Rev. Thea Keith-Lucas, Calvary’s rector, presided over this beloved community event that welcomes all, regardless of species and/or religion or spiritual belief. She offered hands-on blessings for all critters who attended, including a handsome grey rat named Shimmer, and also blessed photographs and paper prayers for those animals who were unable to attend or who have passed on. Dr. George Myers, principal of Danvers Animal Hospital, again staffed the “Ask the Vet” table, and Deb Helfrich, from Therapy Dogs of Vermont, provided free screenings to determine whether dogs have the tolerant temperament to serve as therapy dogs in health care facilities. The local animal rescue organization, Strays in Need sponsored a “Stride for Strays,” immediately prior to the Blessing. Several local and regional animal organizations took part in the Blessing. Among them, Cape Ann Animal Aid and Northeast Animal Shelter. The event was free and open to the public.