My humble belief is that GOD does NOT destroy a life he created. God did not destroy Satin. Therefore blessing an animal's ashes is fine. Something would be missing if pets were not in heaven. So I believe pets live on.
One of the problems with a pet blessing is trying to find the best time to do it. Unfortunately some of our parishoners who live some distance away couldn't make 2 trips on a Sunday. That's why at least half the people who showed up were nearby residents. Maybe next year we'll try it on a Saturday and get a bigger turnout.
A brief homily on the importance of pets in our lives. A recitation of the serenity prayer of St Francis, some short prayers for the blessing, and then the blessing itself. Everyone got a St Francis holy card (this one) http://www.bridgebuilding.com/narr/mi399.html and most of the pets were given treats.
When my first Pomeranian, Poncie, died, an aunt sent me a St Francis prayer-card that depicted him holding a bird on his index finger as he fed it. The caption read, "Blessed art Thou, Lord, with all Thy creatures . . ."
It still makes tears well up in my eyes whenever I see it.
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