​ane's Garden is a volunteer organization striving to beautify  the grounds around church. We were established in 1990 by Jane Schreiber, a long time parishioner. Members choose a garden site to nurture and register their chosen site at the Rectory.

Gardens may be large or small and you do not have to an expert on plants and flowers. You only have to be willing to plant, water and weed. It generally takes 1 or 2 hours a week to maintain, a little time and lots of love. The   garden  adopters are responsible for all flowers, planting, fertilizer and labor associated with their  garden. The Garden club will provide  water by having hoses at locations around the parish.  
 
​We have some small gardens in planters at the entrances. As you look around you can see that some gardens are in memory of a loved one. Each garden has a sign telling who has adopted the garden. Gardens don't have to be adopted by an one individual or family, perhaps a group such as the Hispanic garden. Gardens are also good community service projects for Confirmation candidates or Girl or Boy Scout Troops. We have some lovely Eagle Scout projects here at St. Ignatius.
 
Perhaps you don't have the time to "adopt" one of our gardens, we always appreciate any donations of plants or garden supplies.
 
We have gardens available to adoption - you can leave your name and number at the Rectory at  516 931-0056 or call us directly for more information.
Ask for Gene at 516-433-837 and leave a message if we are not at home.

                                                                                                                  

​OUR HISTORY
Established in 1990, originally called “Adopt-a-Garden”, it was founded by Jane Schreiber, who was a lifelong Hicksville resident and parishioner at           St. Ignatius, who volunteered as the Religious Coordinator and member of the Martha Group. 
During the 1990’s the gardens received some recognition in newsprint: 
· May 1992 - Article in Hicksville Illustrated
· April 1995 - Article in LI Catholic 
· October 1995 - Gardens receive national recognition in the U.S. Parish newsletter 
   
In Nov. of 1997, the ministry was changed to “Jane’s Garden Family” to honor Jane after her death.  Soon thereafter Roberta Ruggio headed the ministry,  She headed for a short time until Judy and Gene Sebastiano took over the   ministry.  The gardens were In Judy’s words:
" I feel that the exterior grounds give a sign of the feeling of welcome that is inside.  To beautify the outside of our place of worship, a small portion of this world that God has given us, brings joy to all of us.  I guess you'd say we have bloomed where we have been planted."

In 2008, Msgr. Bittermann Garden (later called the Prayer Garden) was pretty barren; The Boys Scouts as  part of  an Eagle Scout Project, beautified the area and statues of the Holy Family, St. Ignatius Loyola, the Crucifix, and the benches were added so people would be able to sit and pray.  Over the years, there have been many Eagle Scout  projects that have beautified the grounds around our parish.

In 2009, the Hispanic community joined together, dubbed the “7:15 Mass Worshippers” , to adopt and beautify the large garden behind the convent, bordering the back of the church parking lot.

In 2011, the Stations of the Cross were newly erected.  Judy and Gene put out a request for gardeners to beautify the areas around the Stations of the Cross; the Boy Scouts and three families planted in the gardens around the Stations

By the Spring of 2014, thirty families were involved in Jane's Garden Family.  The Prayer Garden (Msgr Bitterman Garden) was beautified by Michael Crayne as an Eagle Scout Project.  This garden was subsequently adopted by the Crayne family.

As a ministry we are grateful for the support we have received from  Terry Meyer of Meyer's Farms in Woodbury, who for many years has been generous with donations of annuals and perennials 

In 2018, I was asked to assist Judy and Gene with the ministry as they were finding it difficult to continue being the coordinator. But as many of you may know, the Sebastianos continued to be active in Jane’s Garden. Judy was very talented and created all of the wood signs that adore our gardens.  

In March of 2021, I last walked with Judy through the gardens and she pointed to the many varieties of plants and flowers that adored the grounds. I did not know it at the time, but it was July’s way to say “Good-bye”.  Sadly, Judy is no longer with us and she will be missed.
Please take a moment to walk the gardens after mass or when you need a few minutes to reflect.   

Thank You and God Bless, Bart Coppola