Tomatoes slowly ripening but unevenly. 29 pounds harvested this week. Sill many just turning. Thought is the weather; rain then hot then rain again and again. Still plenty of challenges. Team is the blessing. Rich S is both team member and added his home garden to the network. Total of 72 pounds harvested and 40 pounds donated for a 112 pound distributed. Rochel M has taken the task to develop and distribute the “food box” program to individuals and families in need. This week she packed and delivered  boxes to 5 families to help  feed 17 individuals. God bless you Rich and Rochel. Interested in supporting the Garden? Give a shout out to: gr617@aol.com with “Stewardship Garden” in the subject line if you are interested in adding your garden to the network, contributing produce, helping with the garden, the bee ops, volunteering, names for the food box list, helping with the Garden's Face Book page. Thanks. May our Lord bless you for helping and working in His “vineyard.”
 
Seems our lives continue in turmoil. Are all the elements creating “the perfect storm” that threatens our lives and our “way of life”? So, what does this storm mean to us, stewards of God, our Father? While there is a confluence of plague and rioting on one side, there is the love of God, His presence in our lives and His guidance given through His vicar, Pope Francis. Read today's 2 ^nd reading: Romans 8:35-39. Then, if you are up to more heavy reading, go to: https://zenit.org/2020/07/22/humana-communitas-i-the-age-of-pandemic-untimely-meditations-on-lifes-rebirth/ from the Pontifical Academy. So, what's the “bottom line”? 1. This is not a judgment for our sins but a time for our judgment to choose what does and does not matter, what is and is not necessary to get our lives back on track to God. 2. Then put those things that matter and are necessary into practice and take them to others, always reflecting the light of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Know too that the Holy Spirit will ensure we have all the graces and tools to make it so. As Father Mark tells us: Put God first; be Catholic. Reflect the light of our Lord to all those you encounter. We pray that God bless you and prosper all you do in His name.