Offering unconditional love, pets are special to clergy, religious

Published: 2006-01-27

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (CNS) -- Paddy, a 12-year-old black Labrador retriever, works in public relations at St. Joseph's Church in Endicott in the Syracuse Diocese. "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 diocesan newspaper. Franciscan Sister Eileen Derrick owns not only a dog, but also two ponies. "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." Sister Eileen is in the process of beginning a Ponies for Peace program at Alverna Heights in Fayetteville, a retreat center run by the Sisters of St. Francis.

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