Cultivating Care: The Laudato Si’ Garden Opening and Blessing

At Domremy College, the message of Laudato Si’ – to care for our common home – is now growing in a very real way.

The new Laudato Si’ Garden is more than just rows of vegetables and herbs. It’s a space that brings students together, encourages hands-on learning, and reminds us of the importance of living sustainably. Born from an idea by the 2024 Environment Prefect, Mila Faine, and Mr Sciortino, the project became a reality in 2025 thanks to a grant from the City of Canada Bay Council and the support of many hands across the school community.

The garden was officially opened on the morning of Wednesday 17 September by Mayor Michael Megna, who joined us to celebrate this new chapter in our school’s sustainability journey. Father Thomas Kurunthanam from St Joan of Arc Parish also attended, offering a special blessing over the garden – that it may be a place of growth, learning, and abundance, where fruits and vegetables flourish and nourish our community. We would like to sincerely thank both Mayor Michael and Father Thomas.

Designed to support learning across subjects like Food Technology, Hospitality, Science, and Geography, the garden offers students the opportunity to connect with the land and better understand the natural world. It also provides a peaceful, sensory space for students with additional needs and welcomes anyone wanting to join the newly launched Garden Club.

What makes the garden truly special is its long-term vision. Each year, new students will take up the responsibility to care for and build upon what has been planted – creating not just a garden, but a living legacy of sustainability and stewardship.

As 2025 Environment Prefect Lucinda Godwin shared, “We want this to be more than just a project — we want it to become a legacy.” And with every seed sown, that legacy is already taking root.