There's a Lot Growing on Around Here!
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Volume 36 No. 1 • Summer 2018 journeysSisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania there’s a lot growing on around here! Mark Bishop oversees the SSJ Neighborhood Network’s 2017 Seeds of Hope Garden development report ssjerie.org way to grow! “The garden centers me. Everything within it Encountering God in Creation, a recent presentation in our Grace in brings me to God.” the Now series (see box), focused on experiencing the divineness of the earth and caring for our environment. Our sisters and ministries shared some of the many ways they are encountering God in cre- ation, a call which was emphasized in Pope Francis’ encyclical, Ladauto ment committee to our ministries which teach those they serve how Si. What a revelation this was for us to hear of the many ways and to cultivate the earth and care for the planet, to our sisters, agrégées, many things “growing on” around us. From the work of our environ- associates and staff who are living this call and experiencing the divineness of creation firsthand. One of the most prominent manifestations seems to be the many gardens that have taken A total of eight gardens, root around our home and ministries. each with a slightly Finding God in the Garden At our Community Living Center, numerous gardens are lovingly tend- different purpose, ed to by our sisters. On a nice day, you will find at least one of our resident gardeners planted amidst the flowers and vegetables that engage more than pepper the landscape. Sisters Josephine DePetro, Mary DePaul Sabella, Carmel Rojek, Millicent Zimmer, Marjorie Adams, 60 families. Lucille DeStefano and André Feulner are the green thumbs in the house and they spend many hours playing in the dirt. But the garden journeysjourneys || 22 is more than just for fun, it’s a place where one can encounter God. “The garden centers me,” says Sister Andre’. “Everything within it brings me to God.” At least four vegetable gardens keep a variety of fresh produce on our tables and flower gardens include the Carol Fischer, SSJ Memorial Garden, the Blessed Mother Shrine garden and others which are enjoyed by sisters and guests alike. Connecting Neighbor with Neighbor and Neighbor with God in the Garden Food insecurity has long been a concern in the neighborhood’s An urban orchard allows neighbors to freely pick fruit from about 20 served by the SSJ Neighborhood Network. But now, many trees and several strawberry plants. And a fig tree garden has been community gardens provide healthy food as well as spaces of beauty established with the help of students from Cathedral Preparatory and places to gather for the neighbors. A total of eight gardens, each High School. with a slightly different purpose, engage more than 60 families. Some The Namaste Garden is a congregating place for Bhutanese families feature raised beds that residents can adopt and grow what they like, who sow their seeds by scattering them, rathersomething than in a linear fash- such as at the International Flavors Community Garden and ion, and who use branches as trellises and other holistic methods. Seeds of Hope Garden. Four families are involved at the Shanti (Peace) Gardenhere, as well. Grace in the Now the Gospel of Encounter The term culture of encounter, a phrase often used by Pope Francis, reflects the belief that all real living is meeting. Steeped in Ignation spirituality, which is grounded in the belief that God is an active presence in the world, it seems logical that we encounter God in numerous ways and places. Drawing on inspiration from the theme of last fall’s Religious Formation Conference (RFC), Grace in the Now – the Gospel of Encounter, our formation team offered a 3-part series this spring which explored the various ways we encounter God: in self, others and creation. The first session challenged us to find God by looking beyond our masks and to deepen our understanding of ourselves. The second session brought us to encounter God by getting to know people of other cultures and faiths. During the last session, we joyfully experienced God through the wonder and beauty of creation. By removing our masks and approaching God and life authentically, we see with greater clarity the beauty of all life, celebrated in genuine and inclusive relationships. 3 | journeys Urban Farm Project Standout Workers The Urban Farm Project which was given a Max works at the Urban Farm and the Little blue ribbon by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Italy Farmer’s Market. The booth has become Society as a best urban farm (from more than a source of financial sustainability for the 350 entries), is where teens grow produce to gardens and the work readiness program, sell at the Little Italy Farmer’s Market and to a which tripled its profits over last year. Max holds down two other jobs and is currently saving for a car. Once timid and hesitant to speak up because of his Ukrainian accent, Max has grown to become a real leader. Expanding Horizons Deshawn began working in the SSJNN community gardens in 2017 and this year, he began working at SSJNN Urban Farm Project booth at the Little Italy Farmers Market. Deshawn loves chatting with customers at the market and giving tours of the garden. He is actually learning to enjoy some of the vegetables he grows! local restaurant. For many of these kids, this Hope and Harvest is a first job and it provides opportunities to Eight families helped the “Seeds of Hope” Delores’ Garden Box learn about growing food, a good work ethic garden to thrive this year. They met in early Delores planted her first raised bed in the and volunteerism. spring to map out beds using square foot SSJNN International Flavors community gardening models and, with the help of garden four years ago when she knew very Master Gardener Cindy Sonnenberg, took for many on everything from seeds to harvest. of these kids, this is a little about gardening. The bounty from that first box provided ample motive to keep her first job... planting tomatoes, collard greens, carrots, lettuce, onions and corn each season since. journeys | 4 It’s been a blessing that Dolores enjoys sharing with family and friends and she looks forward to starting her garden every year. Little Italy Farmers Market In the words of the vendors: “It’s a great of seed saving, spice making and using herbs market in the middle of the city run by people and plants medicinally. This year, the with huge hearts and a desire to help others.” Namaste and three other gardens played associate “I’ll definitely be back next year.” And the host to more than 100 elementary school Mary Beth customers: “What’s not to love?” “It’s great to students who toured the gardens. have healthy and fresh food so readily avail- Smogorzewski “I always wanted to do something with the able!” “It’s grown right here where I live, with Flourishing Flower sisters,” said Mary Beth Smogorzewski. So neighbors that have heart.” “It brings neigh- when her friend, associate Debbie Brasile, bors together for a good purpose.” Gardens mentioned the SSJ Associates, Mary Beth Sprucing up the streetscape in Little Italy has dug right in – literally. She began by volun- been the work of several young adults and teering at the SSJ Neighborhood Network their mentor. Starting with an educational trip soup kitchen and later became active on to Potratz Floral in the spring, the crew chose the SSJNN east neighborhood advisory appropriate flowers for planter benches council. But she found her passion in the Seeds of Hope garden where she maintains a crop of vegetables, including artichokes! “I share the harvest with my neighbors,” she said. Some of them don’t think they can afford fresh produce and resort to eating unhealthy food. This “I appreciate this market because it’s right in allows me to interact and introduce them the city and the generosity of the program to to gardening. It’s ‘ground’ level, working the elderly and the poor.” among the people.” Block parties bring neighbors together, too. “People come out now,” she said, Cultivated Culture “Even the most recluse.” Kids are interacting with each other and asking, and Unity and followed through with the watering and “‘Miss Mary Beth, what can we do?” One weeding throughout the season. They also Twelve families of Bhutanese origin come neighbor now goes to church with her. together to cultivate the Namaste Garden took the curb-side perennial gardens under This is connecting neighbor with their care. where they grow unique varieties of hot pep- neighbor and neighbor with God. “Being pers, beans, greens and more and help to an Associate has opened so many doors educate about their resourceful techniques for me, she says. “It completes my life.” 5 | journeys sister stories queen of the diapers and everything else! Sister Phyllis Hilbert, SSJ, (r) with Jessica Olszewski, Asst. Mgr., GAP, Erie. by Gretchen Gallagher Durney, Feathered Friends, and Queen of Connecting more importantly they speak to her humor SSJ Associate and SSJ Neighborhood with Neighbors from Many Different Walks around the Neighborhood Network and her Network Neighborhood Manager of Life. ability to keep faith, lightheartedness and There is truth to these titles but perhaps joy, even while meeting with those in crisis If Sister Phyllis Hilbert is asked her title at the or need, or amidst the busy-ness and trials SSJ Neighborhood Network, she’ll often say of our ministries. “Queen of the Diapers and Toilet Paper”. Next time you Beyond wearing these many hats, she also We’ve seen more than a few visitors give shares stories with us from her years spent her a smirk or laugh when she tells them spot “Sister Phyl”, on mission in Tanzania, her time serving as that title.