- Feb 5, 2002
- 167,601
- 56,844
- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Catholic
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Others
COOLIDGE, Ariz. (OSV News) — One year ago St. James the Apostle Church in Coolidge stood in a sea of concrete, asphalt and gravel. Waves of heat streamed off sunbaked surfaces that blinded parishioners as they dashed from their cars to the shelter of the church.
Father Alexander Tigga arrived in Coolidge during the peak of summer, yet was undaunted by the heat and stone. The master gardener has planted gardens all around the globe, wherever he is sent as a missionary priest with the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales.
With gardens in three continents, Father Alex has cultivated the earth and transformed empty spaces into thriving gardens. Father Alex first learned about plants from his father, who was a farmer in India. He planted gardens at his seminary before being sent to Africa, where fruit trees he planted are still producing good fruit. “Wherever I go, I plant beautiful gardens,” he said.
In the Diocese of Tucson, Father Alex first planted a garden in Kearny at Infant Jesus of Prague Parish, then at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Patagonia, which became a sort of tourist destination for visitors and photographers.
From barren to blossoming
Continued below.
Prayer garden at Arizona Catholic church nurtures the soul
In less than a year, the parish grounds at St. James the Apostle Church in Coolidge are now flourishing: existing trees grow greener than before, flowers line the gravel lot used for parish fiestas, a vegetable garden takes root behind the rectory, and the prayer garden welcomes visitors of...
www.oursundayvisitor.com
