Blessing of the Animals Service 2012
Date Sunday 14 October 2012
Time 1.00pm
Location Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Parnell
Preceded by The Great Animal Walk at 12.15pm
from the Band Rotunda in Auckland Domain to the Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity will be bursting at the seams with all creatures great and small from 1pm on Sunday 14 October during the annual SPCA Auckland Blessing of the Animals Service.

“Officially a celebration of the life of St Francis of Assisi, the service offers Aucklanders the chance to bring their companion animals to church to celebrate not only their lives together but also animals everywhere,” says Bob Kerridge, Executive Director, SPCA Auckland.

Just prior to the service, animals and humans will parade in the Great Animal Walk from the Band Rotunda in Auckland Domain to the Cathedral, weather permitting.

“All creatures great and small are welcome but the ‘great’ ones must be on a lead and the ‘small’ ones in carry cases. Oh, and plastic bags are, of course, essential for picking up their ‘little accidents',” says Mr Kerridge.

“The service itself is a barrel of laughs and is usually sheer pandemonium with a mixture of cats, dogs, fish, mice, goats, lambs, birds and donkeys making a huge racket while they join in ‘singing’ the hymns.

“A special feature of the service is the ‘Prayers from the Ark’ where animals of all species can offer their humorous prayers. For those animals that don’t actually speak English, their prayers will be read by staff, executives and board members from SPCA Auckland.”

SPCA Auckland acknowledges with gratitude, Auckland Council, New Zealand Police, City of Manukau Pipe Band, The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Cathedral Organist Philip Smith, St Mary’s Voices, Director of Music Timothy Noon, the Bishop of Auckland The Right Reverend Ross Bay, the Dean of Auckland The Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore, the citizens of Auckland and their animals.

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