Pets are special to clergy, religious

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Paddy, a 12-year-old black Labrador retriever, works in public relations at St. Joseph's Church in Endicott, N.Y., in the Diocese of Syracuse.

"Paddy's always there to greet people as they enter church," said Father Jim Serowik, the pastor. "She's also a four-legged alarm - she barks when people leave early." Father Serowik, who received the dog on St. Patrick's Day in 1995 when he was pastor of St. Patrick's in Whitney Point, holds Paddy in the highest regard. "She's a great friend" and "a sign of God's unconditional love," he told The Catholic Sun, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Syracuse. Franciscan Sister Eileen Derrick owns a dog as well as three horses. "I believe in the therapeutic value of pets," she said. "Interaction with animals puts us in touch beyond ourselves. It brings a sense of calm and well-being into our lives." Although Sister Derrick said her dog, Molly, has been "a comfort and a joy," it is her connection with horses that brings her satisfaction and peace. Sister Derrick bought her first horse in the mid-1980s after attending a retreat. Her first horse, Sweet, made an impact on her life. "Something special always happened to me when I went to the barn," she said. "Time stood still and my mind and heart opened to the simplicity of life. When I left the barn, life didn't seem as complicated as when I came into the barn." Sister Derrick is in the process of beginning a Ponies for Peace program at Alverna Heights in Fayetteville, N.Y., a retreat center run by the Sisters of St. Francis. The program, slated to begin this spring, will allow youngsters dealing with the stress of divorce or issues at school to interact with ponies by learning how to ride or to drive a cart lead by a pony. Sister Derrick hopes the ponies will bring the children the same comfort and joy they bring her. "Working through the ponies also helps some children to communicate better with other children and adults," Sister Derrick said. "I think animals bring out the best in people." Father Charles Vavonese, diocesan assistant superintendent for Catholic school advancement, has owned a black Labrador retriever for two years. He and his dog, Bella, live at the Holy Cross Church rectory in DeWitt, N.Y. "Bella fits in well at Holy Cross. There isn't a person she doesn't love," he said. "I tease the ladies who work here by telling them that they are Bella's aunts because they take such good care of her." Sister Kathleen Joy Steck, a Sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary who teaches at St. John the Evangelist School in Binghamton, N.Y., has been caring for pets since she was 5 years old. Pet sitting is something she still enjoys today. "I like being able to help people out," she said. "I hate to see their pets go in a kennel where they are prone to picking up diseases. I see God in animals - I see loyalty and unconditional love." Father John Manno, parochial vicar at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt, is grateful for the presence of his Boston terrier, Moses. "He's great company and he's faithful and loyal," said Father Manno. "It's great to come home and see Moses." Father Edward Zandy, pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Endicott, is accompanied by his nearly 12-year-old golden retriever, Juneau, almost everywhere he goes. "Living alone and rectory life can be lonely," he said. "Having a dog would soften the approach of the clergy." Father John Hogan, pastor at St. John the Baptist Church in Rome, said his dog, a sheltie named Dudley, and his bird, a cockatiel named Henrietta, have enhanced his life immeasurably. "Dudley has added so much to my life," said Father Hogan. "He grounds me. He makes the rectory seem homey. When visitors see Dudley, it picks up their spirits. Dudley has a calming influence on everyone around him." He has had Henrietta for nearly 16 years. "Both Henrietta and Dudley have added a lot to my life," he said. "I've gained a new understanding of what a loss it is when someone's pet dies." Josephite Sister Francis Patrick Burns is the proud owner of J.P. II (Just Pepsi II), a Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix named in remembrance of her first dog, Pepsi. "When I looked at J.P. II, it was love at first sight," she said. "She's a beautiful girl. When I have company, everyone loves her. She's as good as gold." Sister Burns said she thinks that pets are wonderful. "God created people, animals, birds and fish," she said. "Animals are part of God's plan in nature and they are meant to be loved by all creatures of the earth. I thank God for all the animals that he has given." Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

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Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops