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Monday, October 13, 2025
HomeHorse RescueAnnual Pet Blessing at The Sanctuary at Lakota Farms Honors Rescued Animals...

Annual Pet Blessing at The Sanctuary at Lakota Farms Honors Rescued Animals and Creation

The Sanctuary at Lakota Farms in Groveland, owned by Bob McErlean, is a refuge for over 100 rescued horses and various other animals, embodying a mission of care and stewardship inspired by faith. Each year on October 4th, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Father Roy Eco from Blessed Sacrament Parish blesses the animals at the sanctuary, a tradition started three years ago at McErlean’s invitation. This event not only honors the animals but also highlights the spiritual connection between humans and creation, emphasizing gentleness, protection, and the sacredness of life.

Father Eco, who grew to appreciate the bond with pets through his own experience, leads the blessing ceremony with prayers recognizing animals’ roles in biblical stories and their sharing in Christ’s redemption. The sanctuary, marked by symbols of faith like a cross and a statue of St. Francis, is described as a “godly” place by visitors, reflecting McErlean’s belief that his work is divinely guided. The event also commemorates Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si, underscoring the call to praise and care for all creatures as part of God’s creation.

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