SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The 5th annual Blessing of the Pets allowed the communities pets to be blessed and prayed for.
"Well, it's always done around this time of the year in commemoration of Saint Francis of Assisi, who was known of being very kind to animals, and so we do this as a sense of community outreach," said Charles Zawistowski, the Pastor at St. Mary's Church.
For the past five years the event has collected donations and food for pet refuge.
"We collect donations of money, but we also collect food and supplies to benefit all those pets that have been adopted, people need help supplying them with food, so we do that and Pet Refuge always comes out as a volunteer and has a presence here, so we really appreciate them," said Kathy Martinczak, Chairperson of board at St. Mary's Church.
Zawistowski sees pets as part of the family and for anybody who feels lonely can being a forever friend, "we certainly, you know are thankful that they are part of our family and together with us, I think just on a personal level, the pets bring joy and happiness to people and gives people somebody to love and somebody to love them back."