SOUTHAVEN – Father Thi Pham, SCJ, blesses Joe Baker’s poodle at Christ the King Parish on Wednesday, Oct 2. There were also blessings in Olive Branch and Hernando. (Photo by Donna Williams)

MADISON – Msgr. Michael Flannery, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, blesses a family pet at St. Anthony School. The church has a tradition of blessing pets on the feast of St. Francis, who loved animals. (Photo by Jennifer Kelemen)