PETERBOROUGH-The Mount Community Centre (TMCC) will be dedicating its community gardens to Sister Veronica O-Reilly who was the inspiration for the project.
On Saturday, September 16, at 2:00 pm, community members are invited to join together to recognize O’Reilly and dedicate the gardens at The Mount Community Centre in her memory.
A large rock, donated and installed, prior to the pandemic, by the Young family of Robert Young Construction Ltd., has been placed in the garden and a plaque will be erected on it to recognize and honour Sister Veronica O’Reilly for her contributions.
“Sister Veronica O’Reilly, who passed away on April 3, 2019, was the inspiration for the development of the gardens located at the back of the property,” says Blair Sawa, volunteer garden co-ordinator at TMCC. “Growing our own food not only connects us with the earth, it rewards us with a delicious harvest. In addition, our gardens provide a place to meditate and bring the community together. For several years now, students from St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School, residential tenants and neighbours of TMCC, and community members have worked hard to revitalize the old fruit orchard of the Sisters of St. Joseph and celebrate a new era of gardening at The Mount Community Centre.”
“Sister Veronica was hugely responsible for the development and growth of The Mount Community Centre,” notes Stephen Kylie, Chairperson for the Board of Directors at The Mount Community Centre. “With the reality of climate change her inspiration and working in partnership with residential tenants, students and community partners to revitalize the gardens is an endorsement of a healthy and vibrant community. This urban garden is a place of splendour with a focus on health and connecting people to the food they eat and where it comes from and a place to enjoy the beauty of nature. We owe a debt of gratitude to Sister Veronica O’Reilly.”
During the event, fresh produce grown at TMCC and honey from the bee hives adjacent to the gardens will be available for attendees. Attendees will be able to purchase signed copies of Lois Tuffin’s book “Miracle on Monaghan Road’ as she will be in attendance.
Date of Event: Saturday, September 16, 2023
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Remarks at 2:30pm)
Location: Back Gardens – The Mount Community Centre, 1545 Monaghan Road, Peterborough
