Father George Otuma, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in West Louisville, has taken a hands-on approach to sharing the Gospel message by establishing gardens at the parish. Father Otuma, originally from Uganda, began this initiative last year with the intention of integrating his faith with practical action.

“It’s not enough to preach the word. I wanted to be practical,” said Father Otuma. “It’s another way of sharing my faith.”

The garden features a variety of produce including squash, cucumber, pumpkin, peanuts, watermelon, and several vegetables native to Uganda like malakwang. Father Otuma explained that gardening is a significant part of life in Uganda and was something he learned from his mother.

“In my homeland, many do not have opportunities to be employed, but they have their garden, which is their livelihood,” he stated.

Father Otuma aims to share this cultural practice with parishioners and the wider community by offering two plots for them to plant. He believes that having access to fresh produce can improve health outcomes in areas where grocery stores are scarce.

“You may not have plenty of land, but you can grow enough for salads instead of eating processed foods. It can improve our health,” he noted.

In addition to being the pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Father Otuma also leads St. Augustine Church on West Broadway. He distributes produce from the gardens to parishioners and local residents including elderly individuals from nearby apartment complexes.

“It’s so beautiful to involve the community and work with them in a special way. Especially children (from the parish) who’ve not had the chance to be in touch with the soil, with nature,” he commented.

Previously serving as pastor at churches in Casey County—St. Bernard Church in Clementsville and Sacred Heart Church in Liberty—Father Otuma shared similar gardening initiatives there.

Recently, his efforts were recognized by receiving a $957 grant from the Jefferson County Master Gardener Association aimed at expanding one of the gardens through purchasing necessary supplies like equipment and seeds.