Our ministries are committed to efforts to care for the earth, and “tend” God’s creation. Some literally have taken a hoe to the soil, creating Community Gardens, in answer to this call. Learn more about these efforts in the list below.

To add to the list, contact Fran Eskin-Royer in Holy Name Province’s Office for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation.

Gardening and Grounds Ministry
St. Anthony of Padua Parish
Greenville, S.C.

This group is composed of volunteers who help keep the church, school and convent grounds pleasant, verdant, and environmentally responsible. The group invites anyone who likes to garden or would like to learn gardening to join. Several master gardeners are part of the group and are able to offer guidance about the different chores involved in gardening. The grounds provide a wide variety of opportunities for the sharing of skills, enthusiasm, and sweat. Several families also have committed to be caretakers of specific areas of the grounds.

Additionally the group has created a small (30×60 feet) vegetable garden that supplements what the parish food pantry gives out to people in need. Vegetables also are shared with parishioners experiencing tight times.  Soil amendments come from yard waste that Greenville County collects and grinds up; the Greater Greenville Sanitation Commission has been a great partner in the effort.  Future plans for the garden include more involvement from the students from the parish school. The group hopes to teach the children how to grow food, how much labor it takes to produce food, and healthier eating habits.
Contact:  Suzanne Nelson

Immaculate Conception’s Community Garden
Immaculate Conception Parish
Durham, N.C.

In the summer of 2013, the parish and school collaborated on a seven bed community garden in one corner of the school playgrounds.  The hope is to add more beds annually.  The purpose of the garden is to promote sustainable agriculture and to feed hungry people within the parish and, eventually, in the greater Durham community.
Contact: Donna Killian

Community Garden
St. Francis of Assisi Parish
Raleigh, N.C.

The group of both new and experienced gardeners is working to grow organic vegetables on the parish grounds that are then donated to the hungry.  This ministry includes potlucks, workshops, and social gatherings
Contact: Pat or Paul Kelly