‘Planting the Seed:’ Retreat center celebrates Earth Day

Holy Cross Retreat and NM CAFé are sponsoring two events to commemorate Earth Day. Collectively, the celebration is called “Planting the Seed.”

At 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 22, the Holy Cross Retreat Center will host an interfaith service “to pray for a common respect for our planet and action to improve our ecological awareness,” said center Director Father Tom Smith. “Leaders from various faith groups will lead us through music, prayer and a reflection by Rev. Canon Dr. Henry Atkins of the Episcopal Church. There will be a small reception afterwards to visit together,” Smith said.

From 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 23, the retreat center will have 10 presenters “giving practical information about planting trees and seeds in the desert, pruning roses, preserving water, appreciating our parks, etc., plus an opportunity to help paint a mural, plant a tree and talk with an owner of an electric car,” Smith said. Burritos and biscochos will be available as well.

April 23 participants will include officials from the Asombro Institute for Science Education/Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park; Thomas Branigan Memorial Library Tierra Sagrada Program; Doña Ana County Cooperative Extension Service, including master gardeners; La Semilla Food Center; and Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks.

These are free events for families and adults, Smith said. 

Holy Cross Retreat Center is located at 600 Holy Cross Road in Mesilla Park, two miles south of University Avenue off South Main Street.

NM CAFé is a faith-based community-organizing nonprofit in Las Cruces.

This is the first year for these Earth Day events, Smith said.

“We hope to have it as an annual event,” he said.

For more information, call Holy Cross Retreat Center at 575-524-3688.

Visit holycrossretreat.org and organizenm.org.