A standout amongst the many well-loved, and much anticipated, end of year events at All Saints is the Brad Ost Memorial Blessing of the Animals. The students are delighted that their family pets are welcomed into the church to receive a blessing and that they are incorporated into their learning experiences. This annual event marks the culmination of the Grade 5 students’ year-long study of the human-animal bond during which they have visited farms, animal rescue centers and ocean conservation sites to deepen their understanding of this subject. The occasion is named in honor of Brad Ost, a beloved member of our community who passed away too young, as it was his favorite event on the school calendar.

Brad wished to make a lasting impact by ensuring that no family would ever have to leave the All Saints community due to an unexpected financial hardship. So, Brad’s husband, Ed Ribaud, worked tirelessly to make that wish a reality by leading a fundraising effort to create an endowment that now supports the Brad Ost Memorial Scholarship. Our gratitude to Ed and to the many generous contributors to this fund is boundless.

So, beyond the excitement of the pets in the church and the students’ aspiration to present their work and their research findings in a cogent and authoritative manner, The Brad Ost Memorial Blessing of the Animals is an opportunity for us to remember Brad and all that he and his family have done for our community.