For almost 50 years, the Catholic faithful have been called to observe “Respect Life Sunday” during the month of October.  It is a Divine call to confront the multiple ways in which life is often devalued in our world—capital punishment, abortion, bullying, and judgmentalism, among others.  It is a call to self-reflection about our personal and collective behavior.  We can take this call to heart in every situation we encounter, and each day offers many opportunities—large and small—to respect life by the ways we treat one another.  What is one positive choice for life that you have made today?  How can the faith community at St. Joseph’s collectively say “yes” to all forms of life and charity?

Speaking of saying “yes” to a Divine call to respect life, for centuries the Catholic faithful have venerated the Blessed Mother during the month of October.  It is not surprising that Our Lady of Fatima began to appear once a month to three children in Portugal in 1917—beginning on May 13 and ending on October 13.  On the last day, with more than 70,000 people gathered in anticipation, many reported seeing an unusual heavenly phenomenon that has been called the “dance of the sun.”  Ponder in prayer today what Saint John Paul II identified as Fatima’s significance: “A call to conversion and repentance … the nucleus of the message of the gospel.”

Following the 10:00 A.M. Mass last Sunday, it was fun to welcome some wonderful animal friends to St. Joseph’s Parish.  We congregated in the parking lot for the annual blessing of pets to commemorate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  Among the many humans in attendance, we were joined by cats, dogs, a beautiful horse who enjoys snacking on Table Talk pies, and a cute little pig named Oliver who oinked a few times when splashed with holy water!  Of course, the birds were chirping from their roosts in the nearby trees.  St. Francis would have been proud!

Psalm 147:9 tells us that God is concerned for all His creation, including the animals He created.  We can take from Scripture that if God takes care of animals, then so should we.  Many parents introduce a pet into their home to teach their children responsibility and other positive qualities, such as unconditional love, forgiveness, and steady companionship.  That’s why pets are taken to hospitals and nursing homes to interact with people in need.  They help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.  We can learn an incredible deal from animals.

Good St. Francis, patron of animals, you loved all of God’s creatures.  To you they were your brothers and sisters.  Help us to follow your example of treating every living thing with kindness.  Watch over our pets.  Keep them – and their human companions – safe, healthy, and always in God’s loving care.