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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, March 25, 2010 · 14 PHOTO COURTESY DONKEY SANCTUARY OF CANADA STAR GRAZING: Donkey Bob Ray, who once found himself in a production with the Canadian Opera Company, will be starring in an Easter role in Oakville on March 28. Bob Ray will play a role in Easter event Bob Ray will be visiting an Oakville church for Easter. Not the former Ontario premier Bob Rae, but Bob Ray, the donkey who calls the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada (DSC) in Guelph home -- and who appeared with the Canadian Opera Company a few years back. Bob Ray will once again be in the spotlight as he visits St. Cuthbert's Anglican Church for its annual Palm Sunday Procession on Sunday, March 28 at 10 a.m. The church, along with millions of Christians world-wide, observes this time at the beginning of Holy Week when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (colt or mule depending upon translation). As Jesus rode into the town, the crowds greeted him with Palm branches and shouts of Hosanna. "St. Cuthbert's is fortunate in that one of the residents of the Donkey Sanctuary will be present for the service," said Canon Joseph Asselin. The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada (www.thedonkeysanctuary.ca) provides homes for animals that may have been abandoned, neglected or given up by owners no longer able to care for them. Bob Ray was born in southern Ontario in 1984. He is a dark brown, standard donkey with an easy-going disposition. Bob Ray was brought to the Donkey Sanctuary in 2001 and over the following year, his caregivers got to know him well. He thrived on a lot of attention and so, when just the right family applied to become a DSC Foster Farm, Bob Ray was placed there. He lived there for many years and it was only because the demands of work compelled the family to move away that he was brought back to the DSC Farm. In 2007, while still at the foster farm, Bob Ray was selected to take part in eight performances of a summer production of the Canadian Opera Company. He was `a natural' on the stage and much praised by both audience and members of the cast. After his return to the DSC Farm, Bob Ray settled back into the routine in record time. Although he is especially content to roam the fields with his gelding pals, he continues to thrive on attention from staff, volunteers and visitors. All are welcome to attend St. Cuthbert's service of worship. The church is located at the corner of Maple Grove Road and Oakhill Drive in southeast Oakville. It is recommended that attendees arrive by 9:50 a.m. in order that the procession can begin promptly at 10 a.m. Bob Ray is available for socializing with young and old alike before and after the service. For more information, contact St. Cuthbert's at 905-844-6200, stcuthbert@bellnet.ca or visit www.stcuthbertoakville.ca. "A donation will be made by St. Cuthbert's towards the care which the Donkey Sanctuary provides these precious animals of God," said Asselin.