Grace Episcopal Church held its annual Blessing of the Animals ceremony Sunday on the front lawn of Brenau University in Gainesville. “The Blessing of Animals is our way of celebrating not just the life of St. Francis, but also our reverence for God’s creation, and our calling to care for the environment,” said the Rev. Stuart Higginbotham, rector of Grace Episcopal Church. “St. Francis’ love of animals reflects his awareness that all creatures are blessed and loved by God.”