Care for Creation is at heart of Our Lady of Fatima outdoor Mass, pet blessing By Maggie Parsons On the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa invited the faithful from around the diocese to attend an outdoor Mass and take part in the annual pet blessing. “This is to celebrate the month we have had, to celebrate God’s creation,” said Mary Cawthorn, a longtime parishioner at Our Lady of Fatima and member of the parish’s Care for Creation ministry. The Care for Creation team is following Pope Francis’ teaching on respecting God’s creation. The Care for Creation ministry meets at Our Lady of Fatima Church on the first and third Thursdays of the month. The Oct. 4 Mass took place on the last day of the Season of Creation, which begins each year on Sept. 1 and concludes Oct. 4. During the Season... Read more →