LANDSCAPING MINISTRY Keeps Parish Grounds Blooming

Our St. John Landscaping Ministry put down its roots about 25 years ago. From its two founding members — Grace McWilliams and Nancy Dykstra — it has blossomed into a dedicated group that works to keep the plantings around our church and school tidy and attractive.

The ministry began when Grace’s and Nancy’s children were in school. The women found themselves helping around the school, and it was then they noticed that the garden plots around the school needed attention.

“We started spending time working the flower gardens, and from there the group grew,” Grace says. “Sometimes we’d take the kids with us as we worked, planting flowers, trimming bushes and trees.”

The ministry now has eight members, including Grace and Nancy.

“We send out a text when there’s good weather and whoever can show up, does,” Grace says.

Spring and fall days call for cleanup in the garden areas. Seasonal flowers are planted to supplement the established, colorful bushes and trees. The ministry does not mow the lawns, but if there is a task that might be too big for the ministry members to handle, there is help.

“We have a couple guys who help, and the Knights of Columbus help out as well,” Grace says.

Unfortunately, the dry weather over the last few years, coupled with a non-working sprinkler system, meant the group wasn’t able to do much seasonal planting. The heat also ruined a number of the bushes that the ministry will replace.

The ministry offers members the opportunity to share their talents with the parish as they work diligently to make the church property inviting to all.

“It’s also a good time to pray when I’m working,” Grace says. “It’s a good time to catch up with my Rosary. It’s not adoration, but I’m not too far from the sacraments. It works well for me to do my praying while I’m in the garden.”

Like the Kirwin’s and the lawn mowing teams at St. James, taking part in the ministry enables all the members to practice stewardship in a unique way.

“Definitely, yes, for me,” Grace says. “I’m not a teacher, so this is something I can do — digging in the dirt! I’m a task person, so this works for me. And this is another place for prayer. You’re outside of God’s church and being alone is important.”

With our church’s downtown location, the ministry members often interact with passersby, be they folks walking to work, parents coming to the school, older persons out for a stroll, or sometimes, homeless persons.

“Sometimes people come up to us and they need help, money, or they want to talk,” Grace says. “It’s kind of a place to share and communicate with people.”

The ministry members offer a greeting, a friendly “look in the eye” and engaged conversation.

“More and more will stop and chat, and introduce themselves,” Grace says. “It’s kind of nice. I like it. To have someone smile and say ‘hello’ can change your attitude.”

New members are always welcome to join the ministry.

Anyone with questions or wanting to join may contact Grace McWilliams at 918-214-7215.

One of the garden areas cared for by the Landscaping Ministry shows the attention to make the area an attractive space at the church.