St. Bernard School held its much-anticipated annual pet blessing event on October 4, where students and their pets gathered on the school grounds for a celebration in honor of St. Francis. This tradition, which has been a beloved part of the school for many years, brings together the school community to celebrate the bond between humans and their furry, feathered, and finned friends.
The event was a resounding success. “It was so cool to see students and their pets covering the field waiting to receive a special blessing from Deacon Bernie,” said Jack, one of the 8th-grade students. Emma, a second-grader, said, “I had to leave my dog at home, so I brought a stuffed animal to get blessed. My friend brought one, too!” Other students who were unable to bring their pets to school brought photos to be blessed with holy water.
At the start of the event, the older students buddied up with younger students and were encouraged to interact with the animals brought by parents and special friends. Dogs, cats, bunnies, birds, fish, and bearded dragons were just some of the animals on display. It was heartwarming to see the joy on the faces of the students as they cuddled and played with the animals.
The school choir, Hillside Harmonics, began the event by opening the celebration with a song led by our school’s talented choir director, Ms. Finke. They sang the ever-so-popular “A Place in the Choir” which made all of the children giggle. The song is definitely a crowd-pleaser and had everyone singing and dancing along. Following the music, Principal David Gusloff read an opening prayer to allow for pause and reflection. Harper and Giselle, two 8th-grade students, read the first reading and petitions before hearing the gospel and homily from Father Adam.
The event concluded with Deacon Bernie offering a final blessing for all the pets, reminding everyone of the importance of cherishing and respecting the animals we share our lives with. Students and their pets left with a sense of unity and an even deeper appreciation for the animals that bring joy and comfort into their lives.
Ms. Brittany Dudzik, assistant principal at St. Bernard, stated, “The annual pet blessing not only brings our community together but also reminds us of the unique and cherished relationships we share with our pets. It’s a wonderful way to teach our students the values of love, compassion, and respect for all living creatures. We are honored to be able to share in this feast with our family members each and every year.”
The annual pet blessing event at St. Bernard School remains a treasured tradition each year. You are encouraged to check out the photos from this event on the school’s social media pages. You can follow the school on Facebook at St. Bernard School or on Instagram @stbernardgb.
St. Bernard Catholic School (PK3-8) is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school with open enrollment serving preschool students and elementary students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. St. Bernard provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually.
