The Rev. Paula Miller (center) of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church of Lincoln Park greets Norman, a Chiweenie — Chihuahua and dachshund mix — during the Oct. 4 pet blessing as Brownstown Township residents Jennifer Temple (left) and her son, Deric LeFebre, watch.
The Rev. Paula Miller of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church of Lincoln Park greets neighboring dogs Blizzard and Avalanche Oct. 4 during the parish’s pet blessing.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK – Whether furry or feathered, pets are cherished family members and worthy of blessing, as witnessed Oct. 4 at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 1325 Champaign Road.
The Rev. Paula Miller said she has held pet blessings since she came to the parish in 2014, and did drive-through blessings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s a good way to encounter people,” she said. “It’s a very non-threatening way to acknowledge the people and pets that we love.”
Miller said it’s a fun activity that makes church fun, because otherwise parish life can be “too boring.”
“We have had enough life that has just been scary and boring with the pandemic, and it is time that we can just bring some fresh air into this responsibility to one another and to our community,” she said. “So, I’m glad to do it.”
Miller said that for many people during the pandemic lock-down, their pets were the only living creatures that they saw, and many looked forward to being able to walk their dogs, which gave them a glimmer of normalcy during what was a difficult time.
“Pets are very, very important in our lives,” she said.
Miller said she has blessed a bird in the past, but she did so while it was in its cage.
Jennifer Temple of Brownstown Township, who grew up at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, said she brought Norman, a Chiweenie — Chihuahua and dachshund mix which she adopted from a rescue organization in March — to be blessed after her mother read about the event on Facebook.
“We lost my other dog in January, so it took a while to get that, but he filled the void for me, for sure,” she said. “And I didn’t want to purchase, I wanted to rescue.”
Her son, Deric LeFebre, said the pet blessing is a positive experience for them and for Norman, whom he said is an important part of their family.
“He helped us feel better about our lost dog, so he’s helped a lot,” he said.