Kreature had an exciting winter, or lack of winter so far.  He gets out to play everyday and enjoys his time with Father Ken.  He welcomes all the students in the religious education classes.  He enjoys the business in the parish center.  He is our official greeter for parents and students coming to the parish center for classes, coffe and donuts, Mass cards or visits.

Classes meet Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and almost all the students say hello or stop to see him.  He loves it when they bring him goodies.  Approved goodies include:  carrots, fresh veggies and fruits, toilet tissue rolls, paper towel rolls, clean pine cones.  He also loves straw mats to chew on and rest on and play with on those long winter nights.

Turtle Rescue!

We have had exciting rescues this fall. Several baby snapping turtles have attempted crossing the church parking lot.  A group of parishioners grabbed a cardboard box and saved the turtles from the crushing of tires in between Masses.  Father Ken has even saved a few in the parking lot and side driveways.  There have been scattered sightings of snapping turtles over the years - even a mother laying eggs, which hatched, but this year has been the first baby rescues on record. 

We are also trying to keep track of Kreature's other friends in the wild.  If you see or hear of any of Kreature's friends on the parish grounds, feel free to let the office know and we will start a posting of his wilder cousins.  There have already been several hawk sightings - various shore birds, squirrels, chipmonks and snapping turtle.  We have smelled a skunk or two and have even heard the sound of an owl as well as a Fisher Cat, although we have not seen this cousin of the weasel in person.

We also have the transient goose population back.  They can be very enchanting to watch, but be sure to watch where you step on the way into the church or parish center, as they tend to leave presents everywhere.

Check back and we will try keep our sightings, hearings and smellings updated.

Kreature's background here at St. Bonaventure.

Kreature is our Parish pet.  He lives in the parish center and is often the center of attention after the Masses for all who venture over to the parish center for coffee and doughnuts.  He is a constant for all who visit the parish center.

What we know about Kreature:  he is about 3 and 1/2 years old now,  he was raised by hand and is very tame, he is an American Chinchilla Rabbit, a recognized breed of the American Rabbit Breeders Association.  The Chinchilla breed was originated in France but has been in America since 1919.

How did Kreature get his name?

There are many theories as to how our Rabbit came to have the name Kreature and from where he came.  Here are some ideas.

1. The first night that Kreature came to our parish, Father Ken said, "Good night you creature" and it stuck.  A little mundane for our mascot, don't you think?
2. From the of Bible -The Book of Revelation, Chapter 6, verse 13-14.  "Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out:  'To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.'"
3. Saint Francis Assisi loved all creation and had a special bond with animals.  There are also several Pet Blessings related to St. Francis as well as stories about his interaction with animals.  Here is an example of St. Francis and the rabbit: One day a brother brought a rabbit who had been caught in a trap to St. Francis. Francis advised the rabbit to be more alert in the future, then released the rabbit from the trap and set it on the ground to go its way, but the rabbit hopped back up onto Francis’ lap, desiring to be close to the saint.  Francis took the rabbit a few steps into the woods and set it down, but it followed Francis back to his seat and hopped on his lap again! Finally Francis asked one of his fellow friars to take the rabbit far into the woods and let it go. That worked. This type of thing happened repeatedly to Francis, which he saw as an opportunity to praise the glory of God. If the simplest creatures could be so endowed with God’s wonder, how much the more so we humans!
4. One parishioner sent a reference to creature from the Monty Python Movie, "Quest for the Holy Grail."  The movie references the Creature that must be defeated to continue the quest for the Holy Grail.  The creature has stopped many on their quest for the Holy Grail.  The oracle warns them of the deadly nature of the creature.  When they face the creature he attacks them and turns out to be a small white rabbit.  They eventually defeat him and proceed on their quest for the Holy Grail.
5. In the popular Harry Potter Book and Movie Series by J. K. Rowling the Black Family House Elf is known as Kreachure.  He is extremely loyal and follows his master's orders despite the threat of harm and even death.  Much like the early Apostles and sometimes the way we feel in our own lives.