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The Citizen, 2005-09-29, Page 26PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2005. Blessing of the Animals to take plaee at ehurehes On Sunday. Oct. 2. 2004 al 9:30 a.m. in Trinity Anglican Church. Blyth. and al 1115 a.m. in St John's Anglican Church, Brussels, the Blessing ot the Animals will take place to help celebrate the Feast ol St. Francis of Assisi. All members of both communities. Anglican or from other denominations, are invited to bring their pets, or representative animals of their herds or flocks, to have them blessed at this service celebrating their contribution to our human lives. This year children can bring their stuffed animals, which bring them comfort, lo be blessed. In the past the Animal Blessings have included goldfish, hamsters, rabbits, lizards, snakes, dogs, cats, and cattle being brought forward to be blessed. The Christian church commemorates St. Francis of Assisi, because of his special relationship with the wild and domesticated animals who related to him during his ministry in 13th century Europe and the Middle East. Francis of Assisi enjoyed a very rich easy life growing up because of his lather's wealth and the permissiveness of the times. As he grew up. he became the leader of a crowd of young people who spent nights in wild parties. Thomas of Celano. his biographer, who knew him well. said. “In other respects an exquisite youth, he attracted to himself a w-hole retinue ol young people addicted to evil and accustomed to vice.’’ Francis himself said. "I lived in sin" during that time. One day while riding through the countryside. Francis, came face to face with a leper. Repelled by the appearance and the smell of the leper. Francis nevertheless jumped down from his horse and kissed the hand of the leper. When his kiss of peace was returned. Francis was filled with joy. As he rode off. he turned around for a last wave, and saw that the leper had disappeared. He always looked upon it as a test Irom God. that he had passed. His search for conversion led him to the ancient church at San Damiano, in northern Italy. While he was praying there, he heard Christ speak to him. “Francis, build my church." Francis assumed this meant church with a small c — the crumbling building he was in. Francis even look money that was not his to help repair this church. When his theft was discovered, he was taken before the bishop for judgment. The bishop was very kind lo Francis; he told him to return the money and said God would provide. That was all Francis needed to hear. He not only gave back the money but stripped off all his clothes until he was wearing only a hair shirt. Wearing nothing but cast-off rags, he went off into the freezing woods — singing. And when robbers beat him later and took even his rags,-he climbed out of the ditch and went off singing again. From then on Francis had nothing ... and everything. Francis went back to what he considered God’s call. He begged for stones and rebuilt the San Damiano church with his own hands, not realizing that it was the Church with a capital C that God wanted repaired. Scandal and avarice were working on the established Church from the inside and out. Soon Francis started to preach (He was never ordained a priest though). Francis was not a reformer; he preached about returning to God and obedience to the Church. Francis must have known about the decay in the Church, but he always showed the Church and its people his utmost respect. Francis’ brotherhood included all of God’s creation. Much has been written about his love of nature but his relationship was deeper than that We call someone a lover of nature if they spend their free time in the woods or admire its beauty. But Francis really felt that nature, all God’s creations, were part of his brotherhood. The sparrow was as much his brother as the pope. St. Francis of Assisi Day is often associated with the Blessing of the Animals who enrich our lives. Trinity Blyth, and St John’s, Brussels welcome all who come to worship with them on the observance of the Feast of St .Francis of Assisi on Oct. 2, 2005. Feel free to bring your pet, on a leash, in a box, cage, aquarium or with larger animals on a halter and have it blessed. Staffa teen IPM champion 65th \\/cddiiig./1iiiiivcrsarLj Bill Feeney. 16. son of Francis and Glenda Feeney of the Staffa area, was the IPM Junior Champion Tractor Plowperson (plowed using two-furrow plow in the group born 1986-1989). His grandfather, also Bill Feeney. Irom the Dublin area, coached Bill for several years. This was his first year to plow on his own - no coach allowed. He is now eligible to compete next spring at the 2006 Canadian Plowing Contest (Junior division) in Chilliwack. B.C. The IPM this year was held at the Carson Farms near Listowel. in Perth County on Sept. 20 - 24. Feeney also holds the Sidney Sisler Memorial Trophy as a result of being the Jr. Champion in his class. As well, he was awarded a two-year scholarship at an Ontario University or College of Technology, and the Orville and Ruth Fried Special, awarded to contestants, qualifying to compete at the 2006 Canadian Plowing championships, which consisted of $200. a Jr Champion jacket and hat. Brandon McGavin. RR4. Walton, son of Brian and Shelley McGavin. was Reserve winner in his class (born 1990 1995). using a two- furrow plow. McGavin was coached by his father. Brian. He also won the Jack Taylor Past President Award, presented to the contestant with the highest number of points in this class (previous winners are not eligible). Darryl O'Rourke of the Dublin area, son of Dan and Colleen O'Rourke, missed going to the 2006 Canadian Plowing Contest by just one point (over the four days they plowed at the IPM) but was also awarded the two-year scholarship, as Feeney had been. O’Rourke was not allowed to have a coach in this class. Brent Melady of the Dublin area, son of Pal and Cathy (McGavin) Melady. was awarded the Robert Taylor Memorial trophy, presented to the first-lime competitor with the highest aggregate score in the two- Iurrow tractor class (born 1986-1989 or 1990-1995). He was coached bv Jeff McGavin Rosanna Grobbink, RR3. Walton. Huron's 2004-2005 Queen of the burrow competed against 27 provincial Queens of the Furrow at the match She was awarded the Miss Friendship title. I he newly-crowned Ontario Queen of the Furrow was Jennifer ( hristic ol Bruce County. I'here were 13 area plowpersons |)lus the Huron Queen ol the Furrow plowing at the IPM. They were Paul Dodds. Steven Haney. Jim Cartwright. Paul Pentland. Geoff Alderdice. Steven O'Rourke, Cody Wilson, John Dekroon. Darryl O'Rourke. Bill Feeney. Brandon McGavin. Brent Melady. Alex Melady and Rosanna Grobbink. The new Queen of the Furrow for Huron for 2005-2006, Jessica Feagan, RR6, Goderich and the (first-time ever) Huron Princess for 2005-2006 Jory Willits, RR1, Wingham, attended the IPM. Feagan will compete at the 2006 IPM near Peterborough. Bruce County will hold the 2008 1PM. near Tees water. Just desserts An unidentified youth reaches for the best part of any meal at the St. John’s Anglican Church supper held at the Brussels arena on Sunday night. (Vicky Biemner photo) Mam a 1&t October 2, 2005 Jtappy 25tA Murray & Maxine Houston September 27 Love Jillian, Darryl, & family and friends 2 € Family and friends are invited to celebrate the 65th Wedding Anniversary of Ernest and Anna Snell Saturday, October 8, 2005 Open House 2:00 ~ 4:00 pm Sunday pv. 27, 2005 | 3:00 pm ijyth Memorial Hall TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: Blyth Festival Box Office, Ernie Kings (Wingham/Goderich), Dixie Lee (Clinton) & Blyth General Store’* CALL TO CHARGE: (519) 672-1 967 ' ON SALE ( Tuesday Sept. 20-2 STUART ? McLEAN AVI NYL CAFE JI A ft! ELLI/ON TRAVEL &. TOURS LTD VOU COULD WIN... 2 Flights with Air Canada anywhere in North America including Hawaii Caribbean Cruise for 4 qualify for a 1 in 1OO chance to win plus other prizes... Exeter - 311 Main Street 9 23 Goderich - 18 Victoria Street S.