Renton priest will hold special service for pets

Sep 19 2008 by Amanda McKendrick, Lennox Herald (main ed)

AN animal-loving priest is holding a church service especially for pets.

Father Peter McKelvie has his dog, Medji, by his side on the altar every week when he conducts mass at St Martin’s Church in Renton.

To celebrate the feast of the patron saint of animals, St Francis of Assisi, Father McKelvie is inviting his parishioners and pet lovers across the area to bring their cats, dogs, hamsters, birds and rabbits to the church to be blessed.

The priest started the pets service at his former parish, St Saviours in Glasgow, and is determined to continue the tradition at St Martin’s.

He said: “I have held a service of blessing for pets on the Sunday afternoon nearest to the feast of St Francis of Assisi for the last two years.

“I advertised it in the Observer and folk used to come from all over Glasgow and bring their pets.

“Dogs, cats, budgies, any pet is welcome.”

The service is being held on Sunday, October 5, at 3pm, which is closest to the saint’s day on October 4.

Donations will be collected for the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Dogs should be on leads and cats and other animals in their boxes.

Father McKelvie added: “I’m hoping that people from across this area will come to St Martin’s with their pets for this service.

“We’ll have a big bucket of warm water and a mop at the back just in case.

“The last time I put baskets out for donations and collected £70 for the SSPCA which was great.”