On the first weekend of October every year, animals can be seen gathering on the front lawn and steps of one the churches of Ave Maria Parish. They wait โ anxiously but well-behaved โ for their yearly blessing. This is the annual Blessing of the Animals held in honor of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. On Saturday, Oct. 5, several dogs, a … [Read more...] about Blessing of the Animals at St. Maria Goretti Church