In 2020, Saint James created a Creation Care Ministry to grow and donate produce to those in need. The ministry was born out of the environmental encyclical Laudato Si written by Pope Francis in 2015. It emphasizes a moral duty to care for the created environment we find ourselves in and to manage our resources more effectively. The Catholic Church is the largest private landowner in the world, so by leading by example, Creation Care Ministry hopes to show that for the small sacrifice of a grassy lawn, we can provide food for the hungry.
Volunteers are needed to help plant, maintain the garden, harvest, and deliver food. The Creation Care Garden is located behind the Parish House. Produce grown is donated to our own monthly Food Distribution as well as neighboring parishes. Vegetables, herbs, and more are grown and then donated to those in need.
The Creation Care Ministry also works with our parish school to teach students about the ecosystem and growing and maintaining the plants and vegetables grown in the garden. They also hold a summer ‘Science Night’ and invite parishioners with kids (target audience 12 and under) to an evening of exploration of the garden ecosystem.
Pope Francis has called all Catholics to be stewards of creation. Find tools and resources for the journey towards total sustainability in the spirit of integral ecology through the Vatican’s Laudato Si´ Action Platform at laudatosiactionplatform.org.
Email Adam Vogel, [email protected], if you would like to learn more about this ministry. They generally meet monthly on Monday evenings.
