The Church and the Land: A Practical Symposium

Join us at the CEC in a family-friendly setting as we consider how cultivating the earth through gardening and homesteading enriches the life of Catholic faith, with special guest Sr. Damien Marie Savino, FSE. All ages and experiences are welcome!

The Catholic tradition has long recognized a deep connection between the worship of God and the work of the land. From the Catholic Land Movement of the twentieth century, to the Benedictine monasteries of medieval Europe, to the ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes--"a time to sow, and a time to reap"--Christians have consistently found that the rhythms of the life of faith are, in some mysterious way, inextricable from the rhythms of the life on the land. In every age, we find ourselves addressed afresh by that original human calling: to cultivate and fructify the earth as we journey on pilgrimage toward our heavenly homeland.

Whether you have a lifetime's experience in gardening/homesteading or not a single day, we welcome you to join us!

"The Church and the Land: A Practical Symposium"--the fruit of a collaboration between three local Catholic institutes--is a family-friendly afternoon and evening devoted to exploring these two intertwined aspects of the human vocation.

The event will be rooted in liturgical prayer with Vespers in the evening and will feature practical workshops, a pig roast dinner, and many opportunities for connecting with others.

Schedule:

12:45-1:30pm Check In @ Neu Main Building

1:30pm Welcome Address & Prayer - Fr. Bob Cook OFM Conv (JPII Hall)

1:45-2:45pm Workshop Session 1 (simultaneous guided activity for kids 5 and up led by CEC staff)

3:00-4:00pm Workshop Session 2 (simultaneous guided activity for kids 5 and up led by CEC staff)

4:15-5:30pm Keynote Talk (with/ Q&A); Sr. Damien Marie Savino, FSE "Catholic Social Teaching, Integral Ecology, and the Land: Tending External and Internal Deserts" (simultaneous guided activity for kids 5 and up led by CEC staff)

5:30-5:45pm Vespers led by Father Bob Cook

5:45-6:45pm Dinner

6:45-8:00pm Social and Fellowship

4:00-7:00pm Drop-by Blacksmith Demostrations with Rustic Anvil Forge

Workshop Options:

Flour, Water, Salt, Yeast 101: The Fundamentals of Sourdough (Workshop Session 1) and Flour, Water, Salt, Yeast 201: Intermediate and Advanced Sourdough (Workshop Session 2)Have you always wanted to start a sourdough culture but lacked the guidance or confidence? Or have you tried your hand at it and either met with trouble or want to go further? If so, one of these two workshops on the art of making sourdough are for you! Presented by Sean Hegarty.

Preserving the Harvest: The Art of CanningThe garden or orchard has produced in abundance--how can you ensure it lasts for months (or years!) while preserving the natural flavors and textures and without the need for electricity? Join experienced gardener and canner Laura Ustanovska in this workshop on the art and science of canning. This will include discussion of both "water-bath" canning and pressure canning.

The Home Garden: From Good to GreatIf you have ever kept a home garden, you know the manifold challenges, threats, and obstacles which stand in the way of the average or even good garden, and the truly great one. In this workshop, Rich Csavoy draws on decades of experience in keeping a thriving and abundant home garden to highlight a few keys to elevating your gardening from good to great.

The Fermentation Revolution: Why and How to Make KombuchaYou've heard the name and perhaps you've even tasted the magic--now it's time: what is all the fuss about kombucha? In this workshop, Bri Smith will present on both the "why" and the "how" of this homebrewable fermented tea.

The 1/4-Acre Homestead: A Panel on Urban EcologyDo you desire to homestead but lack the acres of land which seem necessary? Are you interested in learning how the Church's Social Doctrine on land and care of creation bears upon urban living? In this workshop, Vincent Noth and Dan Graves will discuss their many years spent restoring urban land in communal life in order to probe these topics, answer difficult questions about them, and fire the moral and ecological imagination.

Stop Worrying, Start Fixing: Demystifying Home RepairDoes basic electrical work intimidate you? Do you desire, but lack, the competence to do those plumbing repairs yourself? Join experienced tradesman Sam Kasper in this workshop on the basics of tradecraft in and for the home.

Event Sponsored by the, , Catholic Land Movement and Institute for Human Stewardship

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