Brazilian priest brings stray dogs to mass so they can find new families
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Father João Paulo Araujo Gomes who is the head of the parish of Santana in the city of Gravatá in Brazil takes homeless dogs regularly to attend church services to meet possible new owners.
Every Sunday, Father João Paulo takes the dogs to the Paróquia de Sant’Ana Gravatá where he celebrates mass for the local community. Every Sunday, the priest makes sure the dogs are in the centre of attention, an honourable spot where everyone can see them.
The doors of his church, as well as his big heart, will always be open for dogs to give them shelter and food. Father João Paulo is housing stray dogs in his rectory away from the dangers of the streets.
“They will always be able to enter, sleep, eat, drink their water and find shelter and protection, for this house is of God and they are of God,” Father João Paulo wrote on Facebook. He engages the large church’s community in his mission by encouraging them to invite people who are interested in bringing home a new family member. His compassionate actions raise awareness and help to make a change, starting from Gravatá.
Thanks to the priest’s actions, the number of abandoned dogs on the streets of Gravatá, which has 228,000 inhabitants, has reduced substantially. Dozens of stray dogs have already found loving homes.
