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In order to live in the fullness of creation, humans need to participate in God’s gardening ways with the world, which is why the Book of Genesis recounts that Adam was asked to “till and keep the garden,” Wirzba said. That command occurred before the fall, and it was not an assignment to drudgery or a punishment, he said, “because it’s through gardening that we understand the world.”

When St. Peter in Richfield became a parish in 1943, all that existed around its present-day site was Academy of Holy Angels, open fields, a couple small buildings and a dirt-road intersection.

The Catholic Spirit asked Gordy DeMarais by email to provide an overview of young adult ministry in light of the Synod on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment that began at the Vatican Oct. 3. His responses have been edited for clarity.

Three people and one pro-life group who have dedicated time and energy to defend human life at all stages will be recognized at the 10th-annual St. John Paul II Champions for Life Awards Luncheon Oct. 18.

Aim Higher Foundation President Jean Houghton was amazed the moment she saw on a large screen how much attendees donated for Catholic education at the St. Paul-based nonprofit’s fall gala Sept. 28.

The Basilica of St. Mary will host a production about Father Augustus Tolton, the first known African-American priest in the U.S. 7 p.m. Oct. 23.

Being a lifelong Catholic, Father Bob Hart had a certain impression of the priesthood by the time he was in his 40s — until a 1993 retreat talk in by a priest wearing a polo shirt and khakis made him rethink the vocation and his own possibility of joining it.

While Father Jack Long always appreciated working with lay staff in his 40 years of ministry, he said their vital roles became more evident in his final two assignments — both parishes with more than 3,500 households. He refuses to micromanage, he said. “If I’m going to hire a janitor, I’m going to hope that he knows the ins and outs of a boiler, because I don’t.”