St. Joseph Parish in Ogden asks for volunteers to help care for new landscaping on church grounds

IC photo/Marie Mischel

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St. Joseph parishioners Maria Gandara and Addi Eck join in the Friday morning gardening chores at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ogden.

OGDEN — With new xeriscaping in the strips around the church parking lot, Saint Joseph Catholic Church is looking for parishioners interested in adopting the maintenance of a section of the garden.

“This initiative was born from a deep desire to help our parishioners, especially our children, encounter the loving presence of God through the beauty of his creation,” said Father Joshua Santos, pastor. “By caring for the gardens in our parish parking lot, we are reminded that even the simplest acts of stewardship can be moments of grace, drawing us closer to our Creator.”

Having the People of God take care of the natural areas on the church grounds is important because Catholics believe that the earth is a gift from God, “and we are entrusted as stewards of his creation,” Fr. Santos said. “Caring for nature is not just an environmental act, it is a spiritual duty.”

As people care for the earth, “we honor the Creator, respect the gift he has given us and fulfill our call to love and serve one another and future generations,” Fr. Santos said, recalling the words of Pope Francis in his encyclical letter Laudato Si’ (On care for our common home): “We are all interconnected with the world around us, and protecting our environment is part of living out our faith.”

The landscaping that needs care includes various groundcover plants, trees, grasses and flowers. Fr. Santos is asking those who are interested in adopting part of the garden to help maintain it on Fridays after the 8:30 a.m. Mass.

“We invite parishioners to spend just 15 to 20 minutes helping to care for our parish gardens. Volunteers can sweep, weed or tend to a garden space they wish to adopt,” he said, adding that it “is a peaceful and prayerful way to serve. Many find joy in being outside, working with their hands, and connecting with others.”

Fr. Santos said he is also grateful to some parishioners who have donated rose plants “to enhance the beauty of our space, reflecting the generosity and communal spirit of our faith community.”