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The Cross and the Cleaver. Where Heaven and Earth Meet

Blessings of Animals

All creatures great and small…. so goes the lines of the popular church hymn. On Sunday, October 6th St. Paul’s United Church decided to see what those words would look like in practice. So, we extended or worship invitation not only to the people but also to their fuzzy, furry and feathery friends/family members.

October 4th precisely is the day when many Christian denominations observe the Feast of Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, known commonly as St. Francis of Assisi. It is often celebrated on Sunday nearest that date.

As classical protestants we do not observe commemorations of various saints. In fact I often ask the congregation, since when did Mother’s Day, Canada Day, Welcome-Back Sunday etc. became parts of Christian Liturgical calendar. The purpose of our Sunday gathering is to worship God, to hear part of our story, and to see how it echoes in our lives.

St. Francis is remembered for preaching to the birds and for calling animals his brothers and sisters. He also initiated the tradition of a crèche, with real animals and a manger for communion table. He pushed the proverbial envelope, by challenging the role of wealth in the lives of his contemporaries. He broke down the existing class distinctions.

So, St. Paul’s decided to attempt such challenge of the “usual”, to attempt such radical hospitality with an invitation to worship extended beyond the human race. Perhaps because of shortness of invitation, perhaps because of uncertainty of how it will play out only one animal attended. Peanut – a four-year-old, nearly blind teacup poodle, that my wife Dawn and I adopted as a puppy-mill rescue. Community responded though, by both sending us and bringing with them the pictures of their animal companions.

In the end -we worshipped God together and offered thanks for the gift and beauty of creation, we sang and prayed, we blessed the animals, we celebrated Holy Communion to which everyone was invited. Afterwards we enjoyed each others company over a pot-luck meal. There were even treats for potential cats and dogs!

I would like to think we made St. Francis proud, or chuckle at least. Next year – who knows. Maybe outdoor BBQ with separate grill just for dogy sausages and whatever it is cats would like?

Inviting you to experience holy amid ordinary,
your brother Piotr

P.S. Contrary to occasional assumptions, St. Francis was not a vegetarian. Shrimp pie was one of his favourite meals. It isn’t mine, so here is a very simple fish pie recipe:

Mix together: 1 cup of frozen peas and carrots, 1 cup of cooked shrimp (peeled, tails off), one cup of salmon (cheapest fillets, cut into shrimp size), 1 cup of cod loins (cut into shrimp size). Pour into casserole dish.

Make sauce: 1½ cup of room temp. milk into which you gradually whisk ½ cup of flour until fully incorporated. Add a pinch of each: garlick powder, onion powder (or handful of chopped green onion or chives), cayenne pepper (or whatever hot stuff you have at home), salt and pepper. Mix well and pour over the fish mixture.

Cover the mixture with thick layer of mashed potatoes. Make them however you like – from scratch or even from a packet.

Cover the potatoes with a generous layer of shredded cheese. Cheddar is my favourite, but tex-mex does just fine as well. Throwing in a handful of shredded smoked cheese does magic!!!
Pop the dish in the oven preheated to 350°F for approx. 30 min until cheese is golden.
Serve and enjoy!

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