Farm families participate in a June 19 Mass in thanksgiving for much-needed rain after nearly four weeks without rain, which negatively impacted local crops. COURTESY OF GRADY EBELHAR

BY GRADY EBELHAR, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC

On June 19, farm families gathered at the Cecil Farm shop near St. Joseph, Ky., to in thanksgiving for the rain that was so desperately needed for the area’s crops. The 65 people in attendance were from St. Joseph, Curdsville, West Louisville and the Sorgho areas, and gave thanks to the Lord at a Mass celebrated by Fr. Anthoni Ottagan, pastor of St. Alphonsus and St. Elizabeth Parishes.

The crops were almost to a standstill in growing and germinating after planting. It had been nearly four weeks since the last rain, and the crops were stressing and starting to go backwards. After nearly an inch of perfect rain which fell slowly, you could almost see the corn and beans turn around. The farmers had had to trust in the Lord to provide the rain that provides food for everyone. Let us pray that we get beneficial rains throughout the summer for bountiful crops to feed the world. The farmers put their faith in God when they prepare and plant the seeds in the ground, and by trusting the Lord will provide for them the right weather conditions for a good harvest in the fall.

Grady Ebelhar belongs to St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Sorgho. 

Fr. Anthoni Ottagan, pastor of St. Alphonsus and St. Elizabeth Parishes, celebrates a June 19 Mass in thanksgiving for much-needed rain, after nearly four weeks without rain, which had negatively impacted local crops. COURTESY OF GRADY EBELHAR

A banner is seen inside the Cecil Farm shop on June 19 during a Mass in thanksgiving for much-needed rain after nearly four weeks without rain, which negatively impacted local crops. COURTESY OF GRADY EBELHAR

A rainbow is seen during a June 19 Mass in thanksgiving for much-needed rain after nearly four weeks without rain, which negatively impacted local crops. COURTESY OF GRADY EBELHAR