Savannah gets Blessed - St Francis - Transfiguration Church - Columbia

Savannah got his Blessing today at the Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church in Columbia.  It's a tradition in the Catholic Church to bless animals near or on the Feast of St. Francis (Sandra was able to visit his home in Italy when we were stationed there).  The Priest was a student of mine at the Chaplain School - the advanced course - so I knew him and that's where Sandy and her mother attend.  Quick side note - The Church made casseroles to help raise money for the Church and at the last moment decided to give the money to the Priest so he could send it to his Home Church and his sister in the Philippines since they had so many storms there this past week.  Very small Church.  So Savannah went from the little rag-muffin at right getting a bath in the sink at Fort Benning to being formally recognized by the Church.  I made it a point when the Priest was dispensing the water to be sure that Savannah got a double dose just in case. 

There is an animal heaven right next to the spaghetti and Old Forge pizza heaven.  God made the simple things to enjoy and what better thought to hold to then to know your eternity will be filled with the simple pleasures enjoyed throughout life to the extent you never dreamed.  Kind of like when Aunt Ida bakes pies to give away everyday or Aunt Martha knits things for the Wyoming County Fair then gives them away or Mom Alice who bakes tons of cookies every year and drives 90+ year old Miss Katie to the Church and plays piano for free or Aunt Lynda who just won't give up on the Kircher boys on the porch in PA.  The Priest said it well - "If God didn't love animals, why would he have put them on the ark with Noah?"  He was right on.  Too bad Noah included mosquitoes, could have done without them.

There was quite a mix of animals to include rabbits, birds, cats and dogs.  Savannah caught his first glimpse of a  cat (s) and it was a quick lesson in manners.  When he got his first 'hiss,' he was out the door.  Thankfully the one cat that was out for blood was caged.  There was a short liturgy and the the animals were all sprinkled.  Anyway, when it was over, the Priest paused with Sandra and I and his newest member who didn't seem phased by any of the attention. 

More on the RV Trip to PA at a later time.