Dear Parish Family, All CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL ! While enjoying the peacefulness of my back yard, and the antics of the menagerie of animals that are either visitors or residents, I thought of the uniqueness of animals. Deer (at any time 2 to 12) can be grazing or racing through, often stopping to have a meal on anyone of the planters or trees. For the past several years a newborn fawn was born, and left for 24 hours until the mother recuperates from the birth and then returns for baby. When you can only see the tip of the ears above a hosta, you can imagine how small this baby was. St Francis through his uncanny ability to connect with animals taught us to treat animals with love and respect. Legend has it that he even preached to them about God’s love and concern for them. Some wonder about the deep attachment to our pets. Perhaps it is their complete trust in us – as we should have in God. Have you heard the expression – “dumb animals?” Think of the ingenious ways they hunt, scavenger, or forage for food, shelter, and existence. Elephants, the largest of animals to inhabit our planet hold a great fascination for me. They have a closely knit society and create lifelong bonds with each other and these bonds can often extend to other species. They practice teamwork, resource acquisition (food & water) as well as decision making and even caring for each other’s babies. Did you know they can recognize themselves in a mirror? They grieve and remember their loved ones. Often returning to the place of death to pay respect. Many of these attributes are similar to humans. These are symbols of ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL and how we relate to them through our spiritual lives. Dove – The Holy Sprit Swallow – Innocence Lark – Singing praises Deer – Bringing forth salvation (I have to remember this while they are eating my flowers) Lamb- Forgiveness The sacrifice of a lamb which was offered up to God for forgiveness - hence “The Lamb of God.” Let’s give thanks to God for our Creatures Great and Small. Mary Jo