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Zion Episcopal Church of Washington celebrated the fall harvest with a blessing of the animals ceremony and a potluck luncheon as part of homecoming weekend.

Rev. Alan Neale performed the animal ceremony that originated with St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and of the environment.

Those in attendance said some prayers, heard some readings, sang a hymn and Neale blessed the pets with holy water. Neale also blessed photos of pets who couldn’t attend.