O God, who has made all the earth and every creature that dwells therein: Help us, we pray you, to treat with compassion the living creatures entrusted to our care, that they may not suffer from our neglect nor become the victims of any cruelty; and grant that in caring for them we may find a deeper understanding of your love for all creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the summer of 2010, a mother cat and her three kittens appeared at St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church. Patti, Sally, Pat and Ingrid were able to trap the family. The kittens, Peter, Paul and Mary, were fostered by an angel named Gloria. Martina, the mother, was too feral and was spayed and released. Patti adopted Peter, Paul found a good home, and Sally adoped Mary. This is from Sally:
I headed to bed a few minutes ago, taking a last look at my little Mary (with a full belly) lying so secure in life on my kitchen floor, and had to leave the comfort of level 10 on my electric blanket to turn on my computer and email my thoughts.
As you three know, I was immediately drawn to Mary as she resembled her mother so much, and I think we need to pause and thank Martina and all the feral mother cats (and perhaps all mothers) for doing what they have to do to help make life better for their little ones. Martina came to St. Martin's to save her babies. I know there must be a "grapevine" in the neighborhood and she listened. Peter, Paul, and Mary found a life Martina will never know: predictable, nutritious food, health care, a safe environment inside, and, best of all, the feel of a human pat (Mary's enjoying one as I type....I think she knows I'm talking about her mother). I am haunted by Martina and the others who do not have this kind of life as I know you all are. She probably isn't still alive...and, if she is, her life is still one of fear, hunger and lack of trust, and it makes me weep that there are Martinas all over because of what humans have done. Thank God she doesn't/didn't have to worry about taking care of any more babies because of us.
All three of my cats had a Martina as a mother, and I am so grateful to the Martinas of the world who do what mothers do...sacrifice, teach, provide, and fight for their young under the worst of conditions. When I see how demanding of affection Mary is...how she greets me at the door, how she jumps on my lap and will NOT let me read the paper, how she follows me around all day, I thank God that Martina was the mom that she was and that she brought her baby girl to me. Please join me in saying a prayer for Martina and all Martinas for taking care of their babies under terrifying conditions...because they have to. I wish life had been better for Martina because she is the real hero here. I thank her every day.
St. Martin's Pet Ministry was featured in the DeKalb Neighbor. To read the article online, click here.
The St. Francis Pet Ministry adds another dimension to spiritual life at St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church. We provide a forum to explore the remarkable spiritual and unique relationships we have with the animals who provide us with comfort and companionship.
