“Blessing of the Animals” in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls

Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls – In October, people all over the world celebrate the feast day (Oct. 4) of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis is known as the patron saint of animals, and his life of love and service is followed by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, the founding institute of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS). 

In honor of the Feast of St. Francis, HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital will host “Blessing of the Animals” events - free and open to the public.

Pets of all kinds – and their people – are welcome to these outdoor, Ecumenical events. All animals in attendance must be on a leash, and pet owners must clean up after their pets. Community members are also welcomed to bring photos of their pets to be blessed.

HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital, 900 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire

• 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 2
• Event to be held on lawn west of Chapel

HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, 2661 County Hwy I, Chippewa Falls

• 2:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 2
• Event to be held in Healing Garden

To our media friends: If you are interested in capturing these events, please contact Karen Kraus, Public Relations Specialist at (715) 717-4591 or karen.kraus@hshs.org. We are happy to assist you! To ensure the privacy of our patients, all members of the media must be accompanied by a member of the HSHS public relations team for the duration of their visit on our health care campuses. Thank you for your understanding.

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About HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital
HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the Founding Institute, and it is an affiliate of Hospital Sisters Health System. Since 1889, it has been meeting patient needs in western Wisconsin with the latest medical innovations and technology, together with a Franciscan whole-person healing tradition.

About HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital
HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the Founding Institute, and it is an affiliate of Hospital Sisters Health System. Since 1885, it has served the people of the Chippewa Falls area with health care that is high tech and high touch. Known locally for the quality of the care it provides patients, the hospital has been recognized nationally for its outstanding patient satisfaction levels. 

About Hospital Sisters Health System
Hospital Sisters Health System’s (HSHS) mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high quality, Franciscan health care ministry. HSHS provides state-of-the-art health care to our patients and is dedicated to serving all people, especially the most vulnerable, at each of our physician practices and 15 local hospitals in two states - Illinois (Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Greenville, Highland, Litchfield, O’Fallon, Shelbyville and Springfield) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Oconto Falls, Sheboygan, and two in Green Bay). HSHS is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries,  and Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the founding institute. For more information about HSHS, visit www.hshs.org. For more information about Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, visit www.hospitalsisters.org.