Last Sunday, the church's pews were filled with cats and dogs along with their human friends for the Blessing Of The Animals Service.

The annual service - accompanied by a children's choir - is a highlight for many says the Venerable Ben Randall.

"It's always a great day and a lot of fun."

Timaru's St Mary's Anglican Church Reverend Ben Randall blessing dogs.

Gathering people

It's not just blessing creatures at church that make the service fun.

It's about the owners too.

Randall says owners have a proud connection to their pets and look forward to the service.

"There are a lot of people who connect with us with this service. A big part of the service is connecting with the wider creation.

"And people believe God has created all things.

"And we live in a semi-rural community where animals play a big part... animals bring colour to our lives."

They are important companions for many people, he adds.

"There are a lot of people who would have been entirely alone through the Covid lockdowns" [if it weren't for their pets].

Cheryl Rose and her dog, Pirate.

People working to protect and care for animal welfare were also remembered during the service. The collection was offered for the local SPCA's benefit.

Although this year's animal congregants were limited to cats and dogs, Randall says alpacas, rabbits and guinea pigs had also been blessed in the past.

"You never know what to expect - so far, I haven't been asked to bless a pet rock."

Animal behaviour is never a problem during the service, Randall says. Some sing along to the songs.

"Other moments it goes incredibly silent, which is unexpected.

"It's quite a moving experience."

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• Stuff

Celebrating the patronal parish feast with a small creation liturgy, priest, Peter Roe was so intent on blessing all the animals he was oblivious to parishioners pointing out, Harold the goat, was nibbling the tassels on his priest's stole.

One chew too many, a mouthful of tassels and with the stole about to disappear off his shoulders Roe quickly gave the goat a double dose of holy water.

"For the rest of the day he was well behaved", Roe says.

The St Francis of Assisi liturgy was a first for the recently named combined parish where parishioners were invited to bring their pets for a blessing and a post-liturgy pet parade.

Lambs, rabbits, dogs, cats and even Jojo the pony provided plenty of interest.

Some of those who weren't able to bring pets arrived wearing animal 'onesies' and also joined the celebration.

"As the patron saint of ecologists, and a guide for animal and nature lovers, and environmentalists, Francis shows us how to live in a way that respects and honours all of creation", said Roe

"Pets are also part of our families, providing us with companionship, emotional support and an opportunity to care for creation beyond ourselves. They reduce our stress and loneliness", Roe told the congregation.

Roe said that St Francis cared for the poor and sick, and praised all creatures as brothers and sisters under God.

"He bore witness to the need to respect all that God has created and as he created it, without manipulating and destroying creation; rather help it grow, to become more beautiful and more like what God created it to be.

"And above all, St Francis reminds us of our serious obligation to respect and watch over with care, all those good and beautiful things which God has created", said Roe.

• Images by Jonathan Pierce