On Tuesday, Oct. 4, the students of St. Elizabeth School [in Rockville] and their families gathered on the back field for the celebration of the Blessing of the Animals. From dogs and cats to snakes and guinea pigs, animals were blessed in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology and wildlife.
Each year in October, the Month of the Holy Rosary, the children gather in the church to recite the rosary for world peace followed by the Blessing of the Animals. Over 200 animals were present for this year’s blessing.
St. Elizabeth Catholic School and St. Elizabeth Catholic Church are located on Montrose Road in Rockville. St. Elizabeth School has a record enrollment this year of 535 children in grades kindergarten through eight with an additional 34 in the preschool. For more information on the church, visit www.stelizabethchurchmd.org, For more information on the school, visit www.stelizabethchurchmd.org/StElizabethSchool.aspx.
Vincent Spadoni is the principal of St. Elizabeth School and is a volunteer contributor to The Gazette. This is his first column.
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