HSHS hospitals to host Blessing of the Animals events September 29

HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals will host their annual “Blessing of the Animals” events on Sunday, September 29.

• At St. Joseph’s Hospital: The event will begin at 1 p.m. at the hospital’s Healing Garden outside of the main entrance at 2661 Co. Highway I, Chippewa Falls.

• At Sacred Heart Hospital: The event will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the hospital’s Healing Garden outside of the main entrance at 900 West Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire.

All pets must be leashed or under control and owners must provide clean up. The events are free and open to the public.

St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals, was a man who spent his life caring for the poor, the under-served and the downtrodden. His love of all God’s creatures also extended to animals. It is in honor of this love and in the spirit of this great saint that the hospitals are offering this unique, ecumenical event.