Mass honors farmers in Remsen area

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
May 29, 2003

REMSEN - To offer prayers for a bountiful harvest and a safe planting season for the farmers, St. Mary's High School organized a Mass on May 15, the Feast of St. Isidore the Farmer.

According to Mary Arens, spiritual life director and theology teacher at St. Mary's, this is the fourth year they have held such a Mass. She pointed out that she got the idea for the liturgy after taking a class at Briar Cliff University that focused on agriculture and farming.

"I was so moved by all of the research that we decided to do a St. Isidore Mass in honor of all of the farmers of the community," she said. "St. Isidore is the patron saint of farmers."

Grade and high school students attended the Mass. Parishioners of St. Mary's and those of surrounding communities were also invited to take part in the service.

"In the opening procession we had farmers carry in soil and seeds and place them at the foot of the altar," said Arens. These items were blessed during the Communion meditation.

Lorne Nilles, who farms near Remsen, carried up soil to be blessed during the Mass.

He wanted to participate in the ceremony because they were blessed with a great crop last year and he wanted to pray for a good harvest this year.

"I wish that even more farmers would take the time to attend this service," said Nilles. "We tend to get in such a big hurry. Sometimes we forget to look at all of the blessings in our lives."

He found the attendance by and prayers of the students as well as retired community members to be affirming. Nilles said the farmers need all of the support they can get.

With Remsen being such a strong farming community, Arens said it is important that farmers know they are in the students' prayers and they are supported by the community.

At the Communion meditation, students were invited to bring forth seeds and soil for the blessing from their own farms. Along with Father Tim Johnson, who celebrated Mass and led the blessing, the students participated in the blessing as they extended their hands over the soil. During the blessing, the grade and high school choir sang Holy Ground.

Arens planned the liturgy with the help of the prayer and liturgy committee of the Christian Leadership Team made up of Andy Galles, Sharon Miller and Angie Flewelling.

During his homily, Father Johnson focused on the need for good stewardship of the land. With this in mind, second grade students read an excerpt of a letter from Chief Seattle that spoke of the sacredness of the land.

Arens noted that this letter was incorporated into a theology class on morality that presently focused on respect for creation and church teaching relating to stewardship of the land.

Along with soil and seeds from farms, some people brought soil and seeds from their gardens.

In taking time out for God's blessings, Arens said, "It helps remind us who is really in charge."