If You Build It, They Will Come

By Erin Reder

S.Pat Hayden is familiar with a community garden. As the former vice president of mission integration at St. Anthony north Hospital in Westminster, Colorado, she saw the benefits to health and wellness that came from offering a place for people in the community to come, grow produce and plants in a community setting, and share with others. So as a resident on the Motherhouse campus, and as president of the Community, S. Pat was eager to offer something similar to others at Mount St. Joseph.

This spring with the help of the Motherhouse ground crew and employees, the SC garden came to life. With hand-crafted raised beds and space for planting in the ground, the garden was a huge success amongst Sisters and employees. s. Dorothy William englert has been gardening for years. Her first memories are traced back to being a young child during World War II when families were asked to grow “Victory Gardens” to help with the food supply while

Sisters of Charity gardeners include: (front) S. Kathryn Ann Connelly, (back row, from left) S. Jo Ann Martini, S. Annette Paveglio, S. Dorothy William Englert, S. Jean Miller, S. Marty Dermody, S. Pat Hayden, S. Domitille Ndayisenga, BM, S. Patrick Ann O’Connor, S. Carol Brockmeyer, and Nancy Witschger. Not pictured S. Mary Catherine Faller.

S. Pat Hayden was thrilled to bring the idea of a community garden to the Motherhouse property this year. many farmers were away serving their country. She says her grandmother also had a large garden behind her home, and Sister has fond memories of helping her. When she learned of this new garden opportunity on campus, S. Dorothy William was thrilled to take part. She grew tomatoes, okra and corn, and also planted zinnias for her prayer space. Sister most enjoyed being out in the fresh air and the opportunity to eat fresh produce straight from the source. never a gardener in the past, s. marty Dermody heard about the SC garden and decided to give it a try in memory of her dear friend, the late Associate Rita Wesseling. Rita was a devoted gardener and always known to share her produce with others. S. Marty says she prayed often to Rita to help her garden grow – and the prayers worked! Kale, cucumbers, zucchini and tomatoes all flourished and she was able to share them with other Sisters, the Motherhouse kitchen and food banks at Holy Family and the Good Samaritan Free Health Center. In addition she planted sunflowers to remind her of her friendship with Rita.

“I learned God’s in charge,” she said. “It takes work, especially if you don’t have the rain. It is hard work, but productive. The benefits outweigh it all. It’s been a blessing – and it’s been fun to be able to share our produce amongst each other. We get to try the fruits of everyone’s labor.”

Like S. Dorothy William, s. Jean miller grew up during the war when families were encouraged to have Victory Gardens. Her interest in gardening began then and continued as she ministered in foreign countries and had the opportunity to try and enjoy their unique dishes and the different ways they were prepared. In fact, S. Jean had always thought it would be fun to have her own restaurant that specialized in preparing vegetables in the various ways that she had learned from her travels. While that dream did not become a reality, she did enjoy the opportunities present at the Motherhouse. S. Jean explained that she and S. Rustica Kayombo, an international Sister living at the Motherhouse a few years back, used a small raised bed plot between the former Seton Hall and Motherhouse to garden. With S. Rustica she felt like she had her little restaurant. They would grow the vegetables, prepare the dishes and then invite others to share in the meals with them.

So, when S. Jean heard about the new SC garden coming to the Mount campus, she called S. Pat and asked if she could have a raised bed. She grew lettuce, radishes, herbs, cucumbers, zucchini and tomatoes. And while not all of the crops were successful, she enjoyed getting back to the soil and feeling connected to nature.

“A tiny seed produces something that people can enjoy and can prepare in many different ways. It’s a lesson in how nature teaches us that we should relate to one another in ways that are positive, that give life, that show enjoyment, and nurture. A dish brings people together – and that gives life and hope for our world and knowing that God is in the midst of it all.” mother margaret Hall’s activities Department also got involved in the action. Helping Sisters remain physically active and engaged, the garden was an opportunity for department employees to bring a Sister or two out to visit the space and assist as able. Their raised bed included tomatoes, green beans, marigolds, peppers, basil and thyme. Produce harvested (particularly tomatoes) was shared with Sisters in MMH. nancy Witschger, activities coordinator, said, “It was an opportunity for us to get Sisters outside and doing something different. They were involved. Many had the opportunity to enjoy a fresh piece of produce, and as they were doing so memories would come back to them of growing up or gardens they grew in the past.”

Overall s. pat Hayden is incredibly pleased with the garden’s success. She has enjoyed the spirit that has come with its being and the sharing and learning that has resulted with the trials and successes. She herself grew radishes, carrots, beans, snow peas, and bell peppers and learned what crops tend to work and those that don’t. S. Patrick Ann O’Connor (whose large garden is located right next to the SC garden) has been a source of guidance along the way. S. Pat was also grateful to SC employees who prepared the garden area and built the raised beds for the Sisters.

With benches for visitors and gardeners to sit and rest, the SC garden provided a place for community, a place to focus on health and wellness, a connection to nature and a source of fresh produce. The well-known phrase, “If you build it, they will come,” is the continued motto as they look to the future and hope to see the garden and its visitors grow.

S. Jo Ann Martini enjoyed growing tomatoes in her Motherhouse garden plot.

Serving as a source of inspiration and guidance to gardeners throughout the planting and growing seasons was S. Patrick Ann O’Connor. S. Patrick Ann started her bountiful garden on the property of La Casa del Sol. When she learned that the property was being repurposed for a new ministry center, S. Patrick Ann was given the opportunity to bring her garden to Mount St. Joseph. Tomatoes, green beans, green peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, red beets, summer squash and Brussel sprouts all thrived with her loving care. She could be seen spending hours weeding and tending her plot and crops.

Being outdoors and growing her own produce is something S. Patrick Ann has enjoyed for years. She grew up with a Victory Garden at her family home and through the years has enjoyed the companionship and learning that has come with gardening. She says she learned a lot of from S. John D’arc evans, who taught with her at St. Lawrence, as well as S. Paula Gonzalez and Associate Rita Wesseling, and she continues to pray to these wisdom figures for guidance. now she is the teacher as many of her fellow Sister gardeners ask for her advice and learn from her example.

S. Patrick Ann O’Connor has been a source of guidance and inspiration for those gardening at the Motherhouse this year.