FAIRFIELD—You may notice something different when you are walking into Mass at St. Anthony of Padua these days. Six wooden raised beds are nestled on the side lawn, surrounded by protective fencing.
This “Resurrection Vineyard” garden is the product of the hard work of St. Anthony’s Values the Environment (S.A.V.E.), an environmental component of the parish’s social justice committee.
“We thought about doing something ‘actively’ to assist the Thomas Merton Center in Bridgeport and the people that it serves, and came up with the idea of a parish garden,” explains Dr. Jerry Hemenway, St. Anthony’s parishioner and a member of S.A.V.E. “We started the garden here at St. Anthony’s in a nice space behind the garage on the side of the parking lot facing the sun.”
Hemenway says that about two dozen parishioners, the S.A.V.E. committee and a neighbor have all helped to bring this garden to life.
Bob Goodrich, a member of St. James Parish in Stratford put together six raised wooden beds and procured a donation of 4-5 yards of nutrient soil.
“Bob is out here all the time, walking his family’s dog and has helped with the fencing, gate and just about everything,” says Hemenway.
“It has been a real community effort, a labor of love,” says Goodrich.
Goodrich says he met a few St. Anthony’s parishioners while volunteering in the area, who mentioned they wanted to build a vegetable garden to give back to the Merton Center, and he knew just how to help.
“We brought our first yield of tomatoes to the Merton Center on the week of July 12,” says Hemenway, “and they were very appreciative.”
Hemenway says that one of the clients asked about cucumbers and squash. Luckily, the “Resurrection Vineyard” has just the thing…but she may have to wait a bit for things to start growing! “We told her we have cucumbers, peppers and squash growing. We also have oregano, basil, onions and several other herbs.”
A generous parishioner recently donated 16 tomato plants to add to the garden, so it is shaping up to be a great harvest!
“We want to thank St. Anthony’s Parish for their wonderful donation of produce, says Bill Colson, director of the Thomas Merton Center. “Donations like that will provide additional nutritional foods for our Eat Smart Pantry families and add to our daily menus. We appreciate such valuable donations and look forward to a continued partnership.”
About St. Anthony of Padua
St. Anthony of Padua Church, located at 149 South Pine Creek Road, is a Roman Catholic Church that attracts parishioners from all areas of Fairfield and Westport, Connecticut. St. Anthony’s Values the Environment (S.A.V.E.) will periodically post information on the church website about how individuals and parishioners can work to care for our common home.
(For more information, visit: www.stanthonyffld.org)
By Elizabeth Clyons
