Priests embrace animals in spirit of St. Francis of Assisi

Father Jeffrey Grob, the archdiocese’s director of canonical services, holds one of his birds on Nov. 15. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Windancer, an African Grey Congo parrot, plays in his cage. He was one of seven birds that belong to Father Jeffrey Grob, the archdiocese’s director of canonical services. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father David Simonetti, pastor of St. Florian Church in Hegewisch, plays with his dogs, Bella the Ballerina, Francis the Bear and Frankie Blue, on Oct. 4, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father David Simonetti, pastor of St. Florian Church in Hegewisch, has three peacocks, Mighty Max Blue, Angel and Gina. They live in the rectory yard, where passers-by frequently hold cell phones over the fence to get photos and often stop and ask if they may come in to see them. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father David Simonetti, pastor of St. Florian Church in Hegewisch, prays near his peacocks on Oct. 4, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father Edward Cronin's dogs, Bella and Kazu, accompany him to pray during adoration at Helens Parish, 2315 W. Augusta Blvd., on Oct. 4, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father Edward Cronin's dogs, Bella and Kazu, accompany him to pray during adoration at St. Helen Parish, 2315 W. Augusta Blvd., on Oct. 4, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father Edward Cronin's dog Bella sits close to him during adoration at St. Helen Parish, 2315 W. Augusta Blvd., on Oct. 4, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father Edward Cronin's dogs, Bella and Kazu, accompany him during adoration at St. Helen Parish, 2315 W. Augusta Blvd., on Oct. 4, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father Edward Cronin's dog Kazu looks in the direction of the Eucharist during adoration at St. Helen Parish, 2315 W. Augusta Blvd., on Oct. 4, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Franciscan Father Stephen Bedenikovic, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, 2864 E. 96th St., greets a St. Bernard during a pet blessing on Oct. 5, 2019. Parishes around the archdiocese held pet blessings on or near the Oct. 4 feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of animals. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

A young girl holds her cat in a carrier as Franciscan Father Stephen Bedenikovic, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, 2864 E. 96th St., gives a blessing to animals on Oct. 5, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Franciscan Father Stephen Bedenikovic, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, 2864 E. 96th St., gives a blessing to animals on Oct. 5, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Franciscan Father Stephen Bedenikovic, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, 2864 E. 96th St., gives a blessing to animals on Oct. 5, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)