We all have a special link to the earth. We are part of the earth, and the earth provides us with everything we need. Think about it: every minute of every day of our lives are touched by this earth. All our food, shelter, clothing, transportation — everything, comes from this earth. Yes, even the high-tech computers, micro-chips and fiber-optics of technology today come from the earth.

I consider myself honored, and lucky, to be able to till the soil, plant the seed, watch it grow and harvest the crop. As a dairy farmer, I still marvel at the miracle of a newborn calf, and consider my stewardship a great privilege, entrusted to me by God. God calls each and every one of us to be good stewards of this earth. We must remember that it is his soil, his creatures, his earth. Everything we have or will have comes from God, and someday will return to God.

On May 16 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Louis Parish in Nokomis, Msgr. Carl Kemme, diocesan administrator, will celebrate  a Blessing of the Seed and Soil Mass. If you are able to attend, we invite each and every one of you to bring with you to the Mass a small packet or vessel of soil and seed to be blessed. This blessing is not reserved just for farmers, but is for everyone. Bring some soil from your gardens, lawns, or even some potting soil. Seed from your garden, or even flower seeds. Bring them home, and as you till your soil, work your garden, mow your grass, or tend your potted plant, remember the connection you have with this earth. For if we bless this earth, we ourselves are blessed.

A wise man once told me, “Remember always where you came from. For if you forget, you lose touch with yourself, and your world.” As I look at what is happening in the world today, I wonder, how many people have forgotten: “Remember man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.”