Associate Rebecca Peacock-Creagh's Ministry Work in Columbus, OH

Associate Rebecca Peacock-Creagh (Columbus, OH) works with children surrounding St. Dominic Parish through a program called F.E.A.T. in the NEIGHBORhood. F.E.A.T. is an acronym for the streets surrounding the church, with "NEIGHBOR" capitalized to remind the children that they live in a neighborhood and not a "hood." Currently, Rebecca is working with the area children on a garden project, improving St. Dominic’s garden and teaching the children life lessons in the process. The group, partially supported by a grant from the former Columbus congregation, was able to supply the participating kids with a new outfit for school, a book bag, and school supplies. "We’ll never win an award for most beautiful garden," comments Rebecca, "but things of beauty are happening – things you can see only with your spirit and heart."

Rebecca meets every week with about 38 neighborhood children, ranging from those in diapers to freshmen in high school (many of the "older" children bring their very young siblings along for the gatherings). The majority of the children are not parishioners – the outreach of the garden program intentionally includes the larger community, involving neighborhood children, seniors from nearby community housing, and high-school students from Youth Build Columbus Community School. In addition, suburban St. Matthew Parish (Gahanna, OH) faithfully sends groups of children to volunteer each summer. "While they are learning a trade for life – building – they are also learning to build-up and rebuild community within the neighborhood," shares Rebecca.

Over the years, many inner city Catholic churches have closed their doors or consolidated, leaving a huge void within the community where this presence is desperately needed. The garden project has been successful in picking up where former churches left off. St. Dominic Parish, through the garden project and many other projects with which Rebecca helps, promotes community and spreads the message of love and respect.

To the neighborhood children, the garden is their garden – to Rebecca, the children and volunteers are her "garden." The opportunities for discussion, the learned respect for life, and the innocent yet logical inquiries of her young participants show Rebecca that her garden is blossoming. "If all people could do what they’re able to do, no one would go without."