HONG KONG (SE): Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Yuen Long, initiated and blessed a garden to promote spiritual growth through farming activities for families under the “Good Soil Farming Project.” The Sacred Heart Garden, located at a beautiful piece of rural land in Pat Heung, Yuen Long, where the Sheung Yue river flows, was blessed by parish priest, Father Gervais Baudry, on September 4.
Inside the garden are statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. During the blessing ceremony, Father Baudry said the idea behind the project is for the families who participate to see the garden as a place where the Word of God must grow and bear fruit.
“We hope that through the project, we can bring families, especially children, together for formation. They can learn patience and resilience while working in the soil of God,” Father Baudry said.
The priest said that the project’s name derives from the Parable of the Sower, and expresses the hope that participants’ hearts will be good soil for the seed of the gospel to grow.
Planting began by the end of August. Participants could choose what they wanted to grow, like fruit trees and vegetables, according to the season.
Father Baudry believes farming is an excellent way to improve the relationship between parents and children as they work together as a team, and it is also a good way to train one’s patience as the crops will grow in God’s timing.
The recruitment of participants started in May this year, with around 20 families signing up. From then, they helped with the preparation work, such as installing water tanks and toilets, and transporting soil and fertiliser. Some facilities are not yet complete.
The river in the garden serves as a natural source of water supply, from where participants can pump water whenever necessary.
Father Baudry said he is incredibly grateful for the total commitment of volunteers from the Filipino community of the parish who contributed their hard work and the techniques of setting up farming facilities.
Families are required to tend to the garden every weekend from August to June to maintain their crops. It is open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, although volunteers can assist. A summer break will take place in July and August, because the hot weather is not suitable for growing.
The parish is also considering organising spiritual workshops for young people and children in the garden.
“An important purpose of the project is to build up a community and create stronger bonds among the families that participate. Let the children play with one another …” Father Baudry said, adding that due to the social restrictions of the covid-19 pandemic, there has not been enough time for parishioners to be together.
