March 2021

Volume 11, Issue 6

Our gratitude overflows to each and every one of you – for your prayers, for your friendship and for your donations. This year’s Lent mailing follows only a few weeks after our Advent appeal; yet, even during a challenging economy, so many of you have given generously.

The Universal Apostolic Preferences, which unite Jesuits worldwide in our mission, calls on us to “accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future” and “to collaborate in the care of our Common Home.” This year Ignatius Farm celebrates 20 years of ecological, regenerative agriculture. The Farm is building on the successful 2020 pilot of a “New Farmer Training Program” with plans to dig a well that make more irrigable land available for start-up small plot enterprises and community gardeners. Can you help Ignatius Farm to “Get the Water Flowing?”

Ignatius Jesuit Centre is a registered charity and can accept donations of stocks, bonds or mutual fund units through CanadaHelps.

Considering a legacy gift and have some questions? Email development@ignatiusguelph.ca or phone 519-824-1250 Ext 257 to speak with Vanessa or Leanne.

In recognition of the critical contributions of nonprofits and charities to our community life, Loyola House staff participated in this year’s Coldest Night of the Year Walkathon. Since 2011 CNOY has helped 149 communities across Canada raise funds for local charities serving people experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger. The funds raised in Guelph support Hope House.

A virtual Agape Meal adapting Teilhard's Mass on the World

Virtual Gathering - March 11 @ 7:15-8:45 pm - via ZOOM

Participants need ability to log into Zoom link. Bring bread and wine or juice. Details will be provided upon registration. Register by emailing registration@ignatiusguelph.ca. A donation to support the ministry of Loyola House is appreciated. Read more about this gathering here.

How does Jesus' last week speak to your life today?...and to our contemporary world? Walk with Jesus along his journey to the cross and his rising from death, and allow Christ to join his journey to yours. Sign up of one or both of these virtual Easter retreats.

Last year our CSA shares sold out early and long-standing members missed out. Your solidarity today means the farm will confidently plan and grow for YOU!

Sign up for your CSA share online.

Your paper registrations are welcome! Submit cheque payment with your registration during office hours only at the Farm.

Our Garden plots purchasing are already sold out at our traditional full capacity! Pre-COVID that happened around the first of May…

We are currently waiting on grant details so that we know how much we can increase the number of annual plots we will have available, so online inventory is limited.

If you are counting on gardening this summer at Ignatius, now is the time to register.

If you can’t register online, the inventory is used up, email farmregistration@ignatiusguelph.ca and ask to be put on a waiting list. Let us know the size of plot your are interested in, your name, and phone number.

Have questions? Just email farmregistration@igntatiusguelph.ca

Are you interested in starting a farm enterprise or learning more about ecological agriculture? Join us for the 2021 season of the Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program. Registration is by term or individual event.

We have a great line up of webinars and virtual field days planned for 2021. Term 1 registration opened March 1. After April 12 registration for Term 1 will only be by individual event. Individual events will open for registration 4 weeks prior to the event date. See EFAO.ca/Ignatius-new-farmer-training for more information.

This program is made possible through collaboration between Ignatius Farm, Everdale, and the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario.

But are our native pollinators ready to emerge from their cozy dwellings to brave the chilly March air? They’ve either spent the winter in the hollow stems of perennials, under a blanket of leaves or in the crevices of tall grass. These sheltering techniques help insects survive our frigid winters. When the temperatures in the winter start to drop, insects go into dormancy and only begin to ‘wake up’ when temperatures consistently remain above 10°C.