While I know it might seem more natural to talk about planning a garden in the spring, I wanted to make you aware of a new exciting development and ministry here at Saint Helen.
A few times in my three years as pastor, it had been suggested but we were not really in the position to do so. A few months ago, one of our parishioners proposed it again: a vegetable garden for the parish.
The idea rose from the parishioner’s own discernment of her charism in the Called and Gifted Program. As many of you know, Called & Gifted provides guidance in discerning the gifts we have been given and encourages participants to use their gifts.
We have been working with Chris Steiner, as well as one of our parishioners and an Eagle Scout candidate, in the planning and building of our vegetable garden.
The next time you drive by the side of Meaney Hall you will see the excavation that is underway and the construction that has been done to start the development of this garden.
The garden will have a fence around it to protect it from the deer that often visit our property. The goal is for us to grow vegetables that will be a source of food for food pantries and soup kitchens and, quite frankly, anyone who is in need.
Also, the need for a garage to house our landscaping and snow removal equipment, as well as the many decorations that adorn our
church and campus throughout the year, has been on our development list for quite some time. It is the realization of finally building the garage that has made it possible for the vegetable garden to become a reality.
The garage will enable us to eliminate the large tent and two large storage boxes on the Meaney parking lot, save money from their rental and make for a more aesthetically appealing campus.
I hope that you are as excited by these developments as I am. Last week at Mass we heard The Parable of the Tenants in which the Lord told us that the “vineyard,” or “the Kingdom of God…will be given to a people that will produce its fruit” (Mt. 22:43).
May our garden producing good “fruit” for those in need be a reminder, symbol, and reflection of the “fruit” that we, the people of Saint Helen, produce for the Kingdom of God right here, right now, in so many ways.
God Bless You All,
Msgr. Tom
