A lesson in love for animals
By Jessica Ravitz The Salt Lake Tribune (October 4, 2008)

Ellie the elephant, Samantha the turtle and Ike the dog got more than lap-top cuddles Friday morning. They - along with a purple monkey, pink bear, orange kitty and assorted other plush pets - received blessings, when Mrs. Williams' kindergarten class at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School learned about St. Francis of Assisi.

Today is St. Francis Day, which honors the patron saint of animals, and Deacon Dave Osman stepped in to offer the children a special lesson to augment his message at Mass that morning. He wanted to know what the kids remembered from his talk about St. Francis of Assisi.

"He called all the animals brothers and sisters because he could talk to them," a little girl said, as the boy behind her grimaced, pulling panda fuzz off his tongue.

The uniformed students stroked their pets, if they weren't flipping them around by their limbs, as Osman continued, telling them how the saint could quiet chirping birds with his words and presence. He asked them to help bless their stuffed animals by starting with the sign of the cross, which the kids did in unison. They then raised their toys high, as Osman sprinkled them with holy water. A group of girls up front giggled, while a boy in back yelled, waving his worn toy fiercely, "Hey, I didn't get any!"

Osman passed out prayer cards, featuring an image of St. Francis of Assisi surrounded by birds, and encouraged the childrento pray to him and for their pets.

"I've got a fish and a dog," one kid blurted out. "My brother has a guinea pig," said another. "I have three pet dogs," a third chimed in. "They sleep outside because they poohed in our house."

Principal Mark Longe, standing by, laughed and muttered, "That'll do it," before he encouraged the kids to bless their own animals at home. "You don't have to be a deacon," he said, telling them they could do the sign of the cross on their pets' heads, whether they be feathered, furry, leathered or scaled.

jravitz@sltrib.com