Bishop Richard Malone gets a lick from Gunnar, a Labrador Retriever, as the bishop holds a pet blessing for the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on the front lawn of the bishop's residence in Buffalo. (Patrick McPartland/Staff Photographer)

Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, is calling all creatures great and small to his front lawn on Saturday morning for a blessing of animals. The blessing will take place at 77 Oakland Place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 1, to mark the upcoming Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

"At this time of year, let's thank God for Creation," said Bishop Malone. "Let's work to maintain its integrity through our concern for the environment. Let's care for our animal friends. They're such reminders to us of God's gentleness and love."

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that animals are God's creatures, as we are. It goes on to say that animals give Glory to God just by their very being. The blessing of animals has become an annual custom in the Church, as a way to remember the love that St. Francis of Assisi had for Creation.