A wedding is for a day but a marriage is for life. There is much to be done for marriage. However quite often much is done for the wedding. Sometimes the stress of planning for the wedding drives a wedge between the couple so much so that by the time they exchange vows, they are ready for a divorce.

Quite often one of the parties actually wants to exit the relationship but because the invitation cards have been sent out or because of societal pressure, they continue with the charade of the wedding.

A spiritual preparation for marriage is a must. The preparatory programmes available are Engaged Encounter and Marriage Preparation Course including a preparation with the priest who will be witnessing to the exchange of vows.
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Jared Ng

Little Kayla, carrying her pet dog, Foxx, waited patiently amid the crowd that thronged the carpark at the Church of St Mary of the Angels as Franciscan friar Esmond Chua made his way around to bless the wide array of canine breeds.

When it was her turn, she gently lifted Foxx to receive the special blessing which honours the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology.

The Oct 7 event is “a Franciscan tradition ... A celebration of St Francis and how he saw God in all things around him including animals and the environment,” said Friar Jason Richard.

Elsewhere in the church, other animals like cats, turtles, hamsters and rabbits received a similar blessing.

About 250 pet owners participated in the event which has been going on for than a decade.

Besides the blessing, various charities and animal organisations like Cat Welfare Society, Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) and Purely Adoptions set up stalls at the church.

Other animals like cats and hamsters receive a similar blessing.  Photos: LUMINAIRE PHOTOGRAPHY MINISTRY

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