The congregation at the 4 p.m. Sunday service at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Stamford, Conn., is a well-behaved one. No heavy panting during the homily, no claws clacking across the wooden floor between readings. And if the solemnity is occasionally broken by an unprompted chorus of yowling, yapping and barking..."Oh, don't be worried by that," says Rev. Richard E. Mayberry. "This is how they pray. They're making a joyful noise."

That's because at the increasingly popular monthly mass, parishioners present unto the Lord not just their souls but their pets. On a recent Sunday, the congregation of 20-odd four-legged attendees include two golden retrievers, a husky with a pink bow in her fur and a cat, Riley, clinging in terror to her 9-year-old owner, Anson Mersereau. At the altar Rev. Mark Lingle cradles his West Highland terrier Wesley, as he reads from a prayer book: "Remember at this time our pets. Pray for vets." Amen.

The service, held on the third Sunday of each month, evolved over the past few years after parishioner Lillian Kraemer, a retired corporate bankruptcy lawyer, first brought her dog Grantham to church. When more pets began popping up at services, the special mass was born. "I think if there is anything like Godly love, it's the love between people and their dogs," says Kraemer. And even if a pet isn't, shall we say, church-broken, the three critter-loving ministers who run St. Francis are always forgiving: "We have hardwood floors," says Mayberry, laughing. "We can clean it up."