Leaning on our Franciscan Values ‘That Nothing Be Lost’ or Forgotten
In the spirit of our founder, Servant of God Father Paul Wattson, SA, the Friars hosted their 2nd annual “Pumpkin Smash” to repurpose Halloween pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. The composted pumpkins will be used at San Damiano Farm at St. Christopher’s Inn (SCI), bringing awareness to the life-changing work happening there each day.
The November 3 event brought nearly 100 guests to the Holy Mountain, including local neighbors and families and visitors from nearby towns in Westchester County. The more than 150 pumpkins collected were composted using a combination of gardening tools and the sheer force of children and adults smashing them to the ground. Fr. Dennis Polanco, SA, Vicar General and President & Spiritual Director of SCI, joined guests to help compost the pumpkins into small pieces that were then added to soil that will be nutrient-dense for our crops.
When pumpkins aren’t properly composted and discarded, they often end up in landfills and release harmful methane into the atmosphere. At Graymoor, we work so “that nothing may be lost.” Fr. Paul Wattson believed that everything had value, even that which we tend to ignore, dismiss or throw out of our lives.
The event also supports the men at San Damiano Farm who are recovering from substance abuse and addiction. Part of their healing journey comes from learning to care for the portion of God’s creation entrusted to them, engendering a spirit of responsible stewardship. From the enriched soil comes vegetables, flowers and plants that will be harvested.
As an added bonus, our visitors enjoyed musical entertainment by the Mike Risko Band and scrumptious apple cider donuts generously donated by Homestyle Bakery.
