After the historic and well received visit of Pope Francis to the United States over the past week, there seems to be almost a renewed interest and open conversation happening with religion in the Southern Tier and across the country.

In honor of the Pope's namesake, my high school alma mater Seton Catholic Central in Binghamton is doing something special to honor the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi Sunday.

The school will be hosting a Blessing of the Animals, Sunday October 4th at 1pm in the school's parking lot.  In the event of rain, the ceremony will be moved inside.

The blessing will be performed by Fr. Corey Van Kuren, Pastor of St. Vincent dePaul and Blessed Sacrament Parish in Vestal.

The ceremony is open to the public who may bring creatures large and small.  I have a couple of wild and crazy cats that could use a blessing for sure!

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