Dominion, Stewardship - or Shalom?

In our contemporary world, conversations about “Animal Rights” are becoming increasingly common. But what does this term truly mean, and how are we, as Catholic Christians, called to respond?

During October, the Church observes Respect Life Month—a time to reflect on the dignity of all life created by God. This makes it a fitting opportunity to consider where animal life fits into the broader picture of creation and our call to stewardship. Join us on October 22nd at 6:30 pm in the parish office living room for this meaningful presentation.

Holy Infant is blessed to welcome parishioner Rondy Elliott to help guide this conversation. Rondy brings both personal faith and deep academic insight to the topic. She earned her Master of Theological Studies (MTS) from Duke Divinity School in 1991, where she dedicated much of her research to exploring human-animal relationships in scripture and Christian tradition.

While at Duke, she initiated the Blessing of the Animals Service at Duke Chapel in 1989—a tradition that continues today in its 36th year. Her long-standing commitment to this work highlights the importance of understanding how animals reflect God’s goodness and how we are called to care for them responsibly.

Join us as we reflect on this important topic, deepen our understanding of Catholic teaching, and grow in our respect for the lives of all God’s creatures.