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Jessica Eisenbart participates in the annual Soil and Seeds Mass March 9 at St. Peter Parish in Clifton. The 7-year-old first grader at Grant Park Elementary School in rural Grant Park is a member of St. George Parish in Bourbonnais.

Cultivators “need a little help along the way” from the Lord, said Richard Kelch of St. Peter Parish in Clifton as the retired farmer remarked about the importance of the annual Soil and Seeds Mass moments before it began March 9 at his rural faith community.

Started in the 1980s, the yearly celebration is sponsored by the Council of Catholic Women for the Ford-Iroquois Deanery. It typically takes place before the planting season.

In charge of organizing and promoting the event, the group is comprised of women of faith from many of the rural region’s congregations, including Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Ashkum, St. Joseph Parish in Cabery, St. Joseph Mission in Crescent City, St. John the Baptist Mission in L’Erable, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Gibson City, St. Martin Parish in Martinton, St. Mary Parish in Paxton, St. Edmond Parish in Watseka, Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Gilman, St. Joseph Mission in Loda, St. Mary Parish in Beaverville, St. George Mission in Melvin, St. Mary Mission in Reddick and St. Peter Parish in Piper City.

The Soil and Seeds Mass is celebrated on a rotating basis at Catholic churches across Ford and Iroquois counties, according to Loretta Wolfe, president of the CCW for the deanery. A member of SS. Mary and Joseph Parish in Chebanse, she emphasized, “Everything starts with the seeds.”

Born and raised in the rustic region, Wolfe mentioned she has grown accustomed to the ins and outs of farming. She continues to live on her family’s 120-acre parcel and contracts professional farmers to tend the land. Over the years, she said she has discovered that plants need the right weather and soil to thrive on the farm. But, the Lord plays the pivotal role in the farm business, she stressed.

Retired Auxiliary Bishop Roger L. Kaffer was on-hand to bless the unearthed soil and tiny seeds. After his homily, the principal celebrant of the Mass also sprinkled the natural samples and the congregation with holy water.

The Gospel of the Mass chronicled Christ’s miracle in wakening Lazarus from the dead. Bishop Kaffer described the Scripture reading as “appropriate” for the Soil and Seeds Mass. The clergyman said that the now dormant plants will be growing and blooming soon across the countryside.

“Every year God recreates,” said Bishop Kaffer. The Soil and Seeds Mass symbolizes “coming to life again … That’s what Jesus came to bring us,” added the senior bishop.

Father Lee Bacchi, pastor of SS. Mary and Joseph Parish in Chebanse and St. Peter Parish in Clifton, concelebrated the Mass. He serves as the Joliet diocesan director of rural life.

Since the priest arrived more than a decade ago to minister to the people in the southern portion of the Joliet Diocese, Father Bacchi told the Explorer he has “marveled at how much faith farmers have.” They “realize how much they depend on God,” he added.

While the current high price of corn and other crops is good for family farmers, Father Bacchi said these workers are facing problems, including price hikes when it comes to gasoline and equipment.

“Farmers still struggle,” especially with a recession looming across the country, said Father Bacchi. These families lean on the Lord for the strength to continue their work, added the parish priest.

Prayers are needed for the safety of farmers who work with heavy machinery on a daily basis on the land, emphasized Father Bacchi.

In the meantime, many of these individuals are grappling with the rigors of aging as they persist in working on their farms. Father Bacchi said he has been impressed by the compassion of farmers who come to the aid of others who are unable to work because of illnesses or injuries. The clergyman applauded them, saying, they put their faith into action.