A holy menagerie of animals blessed by Father Ken Cafe.

The Catholic priest will lead the annual Blessing of Animals service in the courtyard next to Parish of St Michael, 325 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul, on October 6 at 9.30am.

Father Ken said all creatures great and small are welcome with their owners of any or no faith.

"We don't ask whether the dogs or elephants are Catholic or not," he said.

Father Ken is a Franciscan - St Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of ecology and the Feast of St Francis is on October 4.

"St Francis had a great affinity for all of creation. He's always been associated with animals ... and the equality of all of creation. He saw them as God's creatures and praising God in their way." The Blessing of Animals has been held at St Michael's for about four years, attracting about 50 people and their pets from all over the Illawarra.

Father Ken said he had blessed a variety of animals over the years, including a snake, chicken, stick insect, a horse, guinea pigs, rabbits as well as cats and dogs, including his own dog Bailey.

On October 6, people will gather, say a prayer and Father Ken will offer the animals snacks before blessing each with holy water.

"It's more than sentimental nonsense, it's seeing the respect of all God's creatures."