BY BRIAN J. LOWNEY, Assistant Editor
SCITUATE — Members of the youth group at St. Joseph Church have spent much of their summer sporting green thumbs, hauling pitchforks and carrying huge wicker baskets filled with vine-ripened produce destined for a local food pantry.
A large group of enthusiastic young men and women, assisted by several generous parishioners, planted a vegetable garden to benefit the Food Closet at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Foster, where more than two dozen families visit every Saturday morning to obtain groceries.
“The youth group was the inspiration behind the garden because of their desire to help the hungry,” said Lisa Woodhead, director of Religious Education at St. Joseph’s and coordinator of the agricultural project.
A beautifully-crafted, hand-carved sign, made by parishioner Paul Archetto, stands at the entrance of “The St. Joseph Hospitality Garden.” The 20-by-40-foot plot is filled with three varieties of bright red tomatoes, plump purple eggplant, sweet red and green peppers, summer and zucchini squash and onions. The plants were donated by parishioners Dino and Connie Jackavone, owners of Jackavone’s Garden Center in Johnston.
Woodhead said that while she was eager to start the project in late spring, she was also cautious, because neither she nor the members of the youth group had any farming experience. She noted that once the garden was planted in late May, the new venture became a parish project.
Woodhead credits Father Roger A. Houle, pastor of St. Joseph. and Father Eugene R. Lessard, who is in residence at the parish, for their enthusiastic encouragement and support.
“Everything just fell into place,” she exclaimed, smiling, noting that while the soil where the garden is planted was originally thought to be sandy with many large rocks, once the plot was excavated by parishioner Bill Mende, it was discovered that the acreage in back of the parish rectory was once part of a horse farm. The soil is dark, rich and ideal for planting.
“I have a concern for people who have a lack of food,” said Woodhead one recent morning, as she directed a group of parish youth who helped harvest the vegetables, which are delivered to the food pantry every Saturday morning by Bob Costanzo.
“I believe that we are so blessed here, that our call to serve is stronger,” she continued. Woodhead added that one benefit of the garden project is that it supplies those in need with fresh produce right off the vine. In the past, much of the produce donated by local markets has been bruised, damaged or past the selling date.
Youth group member Colleen McCormick said she was inspired to start the garden after returning from a mission trip to Maryland earlier this year, where she helped several low-income and disabled individuals with household projects.
“We came back so motivated,” the 16 year-old Scituate resident said, adding that the trip opened her eyes to the stark realization that many people need help, but are ashamed to ask for assistance.
McCormick emphasized that people don’t have to leave their own communities to find others who need help.
Matthew Fantasia, 17, said he is glad to participate in a stewardship project that will put food on someone’s table.
“It’s what that all the parishes should be doing,” he said, noting St. Joseph’s long-standing commitment to feed those struggling to make ends meet. He expressed the hope that their parish garden will inspire other parishes to do the same.
“It really makes me feel good when I help someone,” added Carissa Ricciarelli, another member of the youth group. “If we can make someone’s day by giving them a fresh tomato, we’ve accomplished our goal.”
The youth will continue harvesting vegetables as long as the garden yields. Next year, with the continued support of parishioners, they hope to plant a larger garden with more types of vegetables, including sugar pumpkins.
For more information about St. Joseph’s Hospitality Garden, call Woodhead at 647-2650.
Nature’s Bounty: Top photo: Youth group members Carissa Ricciarelli, Matthew Fantasia and Colleen McCormick, help Director of Religious Education Lisa Woodhead (third from left) and Zachary Woodhead (front) to harvest fresh produce at St. Joseph’s Hospitality Garden in Scituate. Below, members of the group and the Woodheads work in the garden.
