Molly broke her back earlier this year, but that didn't stop her from receiving a blessing Wednesday at a Christopher Homes property in St. Bernard Parish.
She showed up with about a dozen just like her. Molly is a dog. She attends the pet blessing every year at St. Bernard Manor. This year is different, she's transported in a walker. "I hate to see her like that," says Lynn her owner and a resident at St. Bernard Manor. Molly is on the mend thanks to her owner. Lynn says she was happy that her beloved dachshund didn't have to miss the blessing. Molly was one of dozens at the pet blessing in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.
Deacon Norbert Billiot, a manager a Christopher Homes, gave the blessing on the breezy Wednesday afternoon. There were other pets on hand, like Prince and Snack Attack.
They trotted down to the gazebo with their owners to receive their blessing.
It was one of two blessings done on Wednesday at Christopher Homes properties. The first happened at around 10 a.m. at St. Teresa's Villa in Slidell. It was a smaller crowd that showed up with their pets, but that didn't stop Deacon Billiot from blessing them.
Rosco, Ollie and Mr. Cat were there to receive their blessing in honor of St. Francis. Ollie, a bit shy, pulled a blanket over his head when the camera came out to snap his photo.
All Christopher Homes properties accept small animals and service dogs. It's a feature that many residents say they like, and from a look at the turnout at Wednesdays blessings, it's a feature that the animals are grateful for.
"If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men."
St. Francis of Assisi
Christopher Homes, Inc. is the housing agency of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Founded in 1966, under the auspices of the Archdiocese’s Commission on Housing and Community Life, with a mandate to provide decent, affordable housing in our community, the agency has grown to become the premier manager of affordable senior housing in the Gulf Coast area.
Prior to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Christopher Homes, Inc. was managing 25 properties which included over 2,500 apartments of senior HUD subsidized housing and one property of 200 apartments of HUDsubsidized family housing.
Currently, Christopher Homes, Inc. manages 16 apartment complexes that house the elderly and those with physical disabilities in nearly 2,440 apartment units.