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Project seeks to sew God's fruits
By JIM KULP
For The Telegraph
GODFREY - Anybody who is interested in the environment and its preservation has a golden opportunity starting this year at the Oblate Fathers of Mary Immaculate Novitiate, 4563
Levis Lane in Godfrey.
The Rev. Maurice Lange, director of the Oblate's Ecological Initiative, said he has received the green light to proceed with a series of programs and retreats, seasonal celebrations and
the planting of a large organic garden.
The events will be held on the peaceful grounds of the novitiate on the bluffs with a spectacular view of the Mississippi River.
"The seasonal celebrations
are open to anybody, free," Lange said. "They will include celebrating the equinox in the fall and spring and the solstice in the summer and winter. It will end with a potluck when people will be asked to
bring a dish that speaks of that certain season for everybody to share. The organic garden will be planted in vegetables and some flowers that attract beneficial insects."
This community-supported garden
will start planting in the spring of 2003 and will cost $300 - $400 per family to participate, Lange said. He pointed out that a family can set aside $20 a month for the next 15 months to accumulate the fee, which
he added is considered normal for such a program.
"Knowing where the food is from, how it's grown and who is growing it is worth the money and commitment," he said.
Lange said a professional
gardener will layout the garden, plant it and maintain it, but participants will share in the harvest's bounty.
"They won't do the work, but will pool their funds to hire the gardener. He'll do the
work, but from May to November participants can come each week to get a share of the produce." Lange said the garden, from two to three acres, will be planted with tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, onions, corn,
peppers, radishes, eggplant, lettuce, spinach, onions, garlic and many others. Instructions will be included on how to can and store food if people are interested.
The Oblate's Ecological Learning Center will
host a weeklong program where participants will stay at the novitiate. It is a first-time program of two identical sessions, from May 25 to June 1 and Aug. 3-10, for a fee yet to be determined. Lange said the
program will be held inside and outside the Oblate complex, so people can learn from both conversation and the natural world.
"It will look at the question of sustainability of the environment and
cosmology, answering the basic puzzle of why we are here, where we came from and where we're going," Lange said. "We'll look from a faith perspective at the whole story of the universe, which is 15 billion
years old and still expanding. People will learn how they can live a life more in harmony with nature."
A weekend retreat is scheduled for April. Lange emphasized that all the programs are not restricted
to a certain religious faith. Anybody can participate and can call him at 466-5004 for further information.
Lange has been an Oblate priest for 11 years. His home state is Texas, where he served for seven
years, then two years in New Jersey. He was stationed at SS. Peter and Paul's in Alton during the year 2000 and has been in Godfrey for one year.
Both of his parents loved the outdoors, he said. His salesman
father, who was an avid fisherman and hunter, is deceased. His mother, a retired teacher, lives on a cattle ranch in Texas, where Lange spends his vacations. While growing up, he spent much time at his grandparents'
farm. He has a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas.
"As Christians we believe nature has come from God, and we as western, industrialized people need
to have our eyes opened to its glories and the need to preserve it," Lange said. "All of these programs are aimed at the integrity of creation, preserving it for future generations and for the goodness of
the earth itself.
"These programs are designed to assist people in changing their mindset toward nature. We have much to learn from Native Americans. They wouldn't undertake any action without first
asking what effect it would have seven generations from now. Our perspective is so much smaller. The western world view is that we are separated out of nature; therefore, we can do with it what we want. This mindset
has dangerous consequences, and we need to look anew at our relationship with that which surrounds us and sustains us."
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