Father Tom Ackerman

Pastor of Annunciation of the Lord Parish in Decatur

Over the winter of 2017-2018, St. Francis of Assisi University Parish in Tuscaloosa completed the construction of a new rectory. It included a fenced in back yard that just begged for a dog. A few months later, in bounded Benedict, a three-month-old German Shepherd. He has been bounding ever since. Last year, he made the move with me to Annunciation of the Lord Parish in Decatur. Full of the energy of a dog half his age, he has worn a path along the fence in the back yard, keeping tabs of the dogs in the adjacent back yards. He loves fetch and getting muddy, and, as we discovered this year, elderberry branches.

Bishop Emeritus Robert J. Baker

Francesco is a Chocolate Labrador. Fabio a black mixed breed, with a little white here and there. I named Francesco, who is six years old, after St. Francis of Assisi. Fabio I got at the Birmingham Humane Society, who gave him his Italian name. Francesco wanted company after his half-brother, Carlo, whom I got at the same time, escaped from me while on a walk on a leash to run after a cat and was tragically hit by a car and died. Francesco missed his brother, and Fabio, though wild from the start, was compatible. I call them my “Carabinieri,” like the special national police force in Rome, Italy. They protect me and my home. They wouldn’t hurt a flea, but they bark when something alarms them. The neighbors come by to pet them, and they especially love children. They are like St. Francis!

Father Gray Bean

Pastor of Our Lady of the Shoals Parish in Tuscumbia

As a priest who lives alone, my dog is a constant companion! I have had Jack for ten years. He is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, otherwise known as the "Royal Dog" because the late Queen Elizabeth II was a Corgi breeder. I have always had a devotion to St. Francis of Assisi, which has developed into a special love for all animals.

Father Vincent Bresowar

Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Gardendale

Lucy is a little over a year old, and I adopted her last September. She has been a great companion. She is very sweet — a mix of Boston Terrier and Beagle. I had never considered owning a dog, but getting her has been such a blessing not only for me but also for the parish. Everyone loves her, and because she is small, she is often in the office and even shows up at parish events from time to time. The children love to play with her, and she loves to play with them. In a simple way, she reminds us of the joy of God’s creation. As St. Francis of Assisi so beautifully showed us, even the smallest creatures can draw us closer to gratitude, peace, and a deeper awareness of God’s presence.

Father John McDonald

Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Annison

We read in the Book of Sirach, “The bee is the smallest of winged creatures, but its harvest is the greatest of sweet things.” (11:3) The Exultet mentions the “mother bees” twice in its beautiful Resurrection Song. In a hive, about 100,000 of the bees are virgins and mothers, so there is a deep connection with Our Blessed Mother and her care for us. Since I was a child, I have been fascinated with bees. I think it began by watching public television, and the children’s show 3-2-1 Contact! There was a segment on bees, and ever since, I have been fascinated. At Sacred Heart Parish, I established three hives about five years ago, and my dear bees bring me much joy. There is much wisdom to be learned from the bees, and when I feel tired, they give me encouragement. Bee folklore also holds that there are many things you can tell bees, and they always listen to your troubles, and talking to your bees in a calm, modulated voice makes them recognize and accept you more easily when you enter the hive. The parishioners are also interested in the honey we produce, and after the harvest, it disappears quickly! I love my bees and find a great deal of peace every time I go to the apiary.

Father Tim Pfander

Pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Huntsville

Mona and Josie are rescues. They are four and a half years old and are sisters. I refer to them as “the girls.” They’ve never been apart, having been born together. Mona is named after St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine. Josie is named after St. Josephine Bakhita, a former slave and the patron of those who have been victims of human trafficking. I’ve had pets for most of my life. They provide good companionship and caring for them makes me more responsible. As a priest, I’ve found that dogs require more attention than I can provide. Cats entertain themselves! Here at Good Shepherd, we have a pet blessing each year on or around Oct. 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. We recognize him as one of the most universally loved of all the saints. Join us and don’t miss the fabulous Pet Promenade!

Father Miguel Soherman, M.F.V.A.

Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville

As I was doing my walk at the Shrine complex on the evening of April 16, 2020, I heard a constant meow as I got closer to our house. I looked and looked with no success. While in the chapel trying to pray, the meow sounds started again, but I was unable to find the source. The next morning, Father Matthew Bartow got back from a private Mass, came to my room while I was working at my desk, and said: “Would you help me? I found your kitten!” I said, “MY kitten?!?” The kitten had been hiding around the battery of his car. I couldn’t stand cats for many years and thought I was allergic. To my shock, and disappointment at the time, the local superior decided to keep the kitten, but I surrendered to God’s will. We ended up naming him “Benedict” since I heard his meow on the birthday of Pope Benedict XVI, who apparently loved cats. Not too long afterward, I was the first in the community to get COVID. The decision was made that every friar in the house had to move out, except me. So, it was simply me and Benedict in the house. He literally followed me wherever I went (to the bathroom, to the kitchen, to the bedroom, to the dining room), and still does to this day. He can open doors, sit before eating his meals, and even play fetch. Benedict also loves to watch TV with us when we have community movie night. In addition to his regular food, he likes to eat plain lettuce, the leaves of the pineberries (white strawberries), coconut ice cream bars, and peach and vanilla homemade ice cream.