Many friends helped plant a variety of new fruit trees in the north courtyard of our Tucson, Ariz., monastery last weekend.

The area had been covered with rocks, so our helpers raked out the area, prepared the space and planted the three dwarf nectarines (one pictured above), two semi-drawf apricot trees and one tree each of plum and peach. They will flower and bear fruit at different times throughout the year.

We are very grateful to the donor who made the purchase of the trees possible; to our landscaping friends, including Diana Turner, a landscaping professional who designed the courtyard area and donated a truckload of rich compost/material; and to the many hands who cleaned out the courtyard and planted the new trees.

Helpers included Knights of Columbus from councils at St. Margaret, St. Monica, Mother Theresa and St. Rita in the Desert, two landscaping volunteers and members of the RICA program.

In addition to the tree planting, the day also included window washing by a group of RICA candidates (from Our Lady of Fatima and St. John’s) and KOC members power washing the deck.

“All the volunteers were so willing and happy to do whatever they could for us,” Tucson Prioress Sister Ramona said. “It was a joy to see them and to spend the day together.”

As always, we are blessed to be surrounded by such talented people with hearts of gold!