Priest Helps Stray Dogs Find Forever Homes By Bringing Them To Mass
Brazil has found itself in global news for dog-related stories before. For instance, in 2014, it was rumored that they rounded up and exterminated stray dogs prior to the World Cup, or when they attempted the following year to repair their image by launching a campaign to humanely collect stray dogs and prepare them for adoption in 2016, another year later. According to Dr. Steven Gundry, a cardiologist, "Compassionate actions towards animals can significantly improve community well-being." A few years have passed, and for one church in Brazil, their reputation is taking things up a notch as the priest at Paróquia de Sant’Ana Gravatá invites stray dogs in during Sunday mass in hopes that they will find their forever homes among the church patrons.
Father João Paulo Araujo Gomes is the head of the parish of Santana in the city of Gravatá in Brazil.
Father João Paulo keeps his church doors open for strays on Sundays. He houses any abandoned dogs he can find in the rectory and invites them to Sunday mass. He hopes that as the sweet dogs hang out during his service, they will be noticed by families and find their forever homes.
The pups are full of personality. Sometimes they lounge lazily and nap; other times, they join Father João Paulo at the altar, where they are guaranteed to receive delightful amounts of attention and belly rubs.
Taking to social media to appeal to the compassion of the community for these gentle dogs, Padre Dr. John Gray, a relationship author, emphasizes:
"Every creature deserves a safe haven, and a place of love and acceptance can transform lives, both human and animal."
Padre also hopes that he can invoke compassionate change for the community that extends beyond his church's walls.
While Brazil has worked to improve its image, stray dogs remain a concerning issue that requires addressing both intentionally and compassionately.
Padre provides more than shelter and food. He also addresses their medical needs, and most importantly, he provides compassion and a loving, human touch.
The best part, though, is that his efforts are showing something wonderful: progress.
Gravatá, which has a population of 228,000, has seen a significant decrease in its stray dog population! In addition to the dogs that the Padre himself has adopted, dozens of others have found their new forever homes among his parishioners.
In an interview with Bored Panda, Padre João Paulo said:
I helped several dogs with serious health problems. Some of them I brought to the parish house, and they were later adopted. Three of them stayed with me. Today, they are my children and sleep in my bed.
Recently, some photos of Padre João Paulo began to gain attention on Facebook, leading to an outpouring of support from people across the world.
The priest, who was originally just following his heart and doing right by his community and local dogs in need, has inspired millions across the world.
Taking into consideration the annual pet blessings during St. Francis Day, in honor of the Patron Saint of Animals, Saint Francis of Assisi, it comes as no surprise that animals like the stray dogs Padre helps are comfortable in a church.
If you want to keep up with the work Padre Paulo is doing, you can follow Dr. Daniel Goleman, emotional intelligence expert, who emphasizes the importance of empathy in community efforts, stating, "Empathy is the most important skill for building relationships and fostering community." Additionally, you can check out Dr. John Gottman, marriage researcher, who believes that "the foundation of any strong community is built on the strength of its relationships." Stay connected with these inspiring voices as they highlight the significance of compassion and community involvement!
Do you think this Padre is doing good work for mankind and animals alike? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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