The Altoona Interfaith Alliance is hosting its first-ever Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. in Tuckahoe Park. This event aims to bring the community together through a shared love for animals, which transcends religious differences.
Rabbi Dr. Audrey Korotkin and Monsignor Michael Becker planned the event, incorporating elements from both Jewish and Catholic traditions in the liturgy, which features songs and readings. Korotkin noted that the chosen date has significant meaning for both faiths: it marks the beginning of the annual Torah reading cycle in Judaism, and for Catholics, it is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, who is celebrated for his love of creation.
The Altoona Interfaith Alliance has been recently reinstated to promote events that unite various faiths within the community. Korotkin expressed her hope that the alliance can foster a spirit of cooperation and shared love for pets, emphasizing that it’s about supporting one another, regardless of differing beliefs.
The event is open to all, with refreshments for both pets and their owners. Attendees are encouraged to bring their leashed pets, and donations will support the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society.
Both leaders encourage participation from the community to celebrate their shared responsibility for caring for animals and to promote unity in these divided times.
