On Wednesday 15 July, Personal Advocacy Service (PAS) was delighted to join Catholic Youth Ministry Perth’s Common Ground gathering, where our Community Development Officer Rachel Boon invited young adults to discover how something as simple as a community garden can become a place of belonging, friendship and hope.
Hosted at Common Ground’s weekly gathering, the evening explored how communities flourish when every person is welcomed, valued and given the opportunity to share their unique gifts.
Growing More Than a Garden
Drawing on the Gospel, Catholic Social Teaching and Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, Rachel shared the story behind the PAS Community Garden—a community development initiative that brings together people with intellectual disability, volunteers and the wider community to care for creation and one another. More than simply growing vegetables, the garden has been intentionally created as a place where relationships grow, people discover purpose, and everyone has something meaningful to contribute.
The presentation explored the powerful symbolism of gardens throughout Scripture – from the Garden of Eden to the mustard seed, the vine and branches, and the resurrection garden – reminding participants that God often works through small beginnings, patient growth and communities that nurture one another. Inspired by Laudato Si’, Rachel reflected on Pope Francis’ reminder that “everything is connected”, encouraging participants to see caring for people and caring for creation as inseparable acts of discipleship.
An Evening of Reflection and Creativity
Rather than ending with a presentation, the evening invited everyone to participate.
Attendees painted colourful prayer rocks that will find a permanent home throughout the PAS Community Garden, offering messages of hope, encouragement and faith to all who visit. Others gathered in small groups to reflect on beautifully designed conversation cards featuring themes such as seeds, roots, pruning, seasons, harvest and compost. Each card paired Scripture with questions that encouraged participants to consider how God is working within their own lives and how they are called to help cultivate stronger communities.
Everyone Has Something to Offer
Rachel also shared practical ways people can become involved with PAS—whether by volunteering in the community garden, joining the Community Garden Core Group, sharing practical skills, donating supplies, praying for the project or simply helping care for the space throughout the year. As Rachel reminded attendees, every community garden relies on many different gifts, and not all of them involve gardening.
PAS extends its sincere thanks to Catholic Youth Ministry Perth for the invitation and to everyone who attended with such openness, generosity and enthusiasm. It was wonderful to spend an evening reflecting together on what it means to build communities where every person belongs.
Would You Like to Get Involved?
The PAS Community Garden is always growing—and so is the community around it.
Whether you enjoy gardening, have practical skills to share, love organising events, can lend a hand with maintenance, or simply want to spend time alongside others, there are many ways to contribute. No gardening experience is needed—just a willingness to be part of a welcoming and inclusive community.
There are opportunities to:
- Volunteer in the PAS Community Garden
- Join the Community Garden Core Group to help shape the garden’s future
- Donate plants, tools or gardening supplies
If you’d like to be part of cultivating a place where people of all abilities can belong, grow and thrive together, we’d love to hear from you.
Photography by Joel Chan (Infinitum STUDIOS)
