Annually the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has a Rural-Urban Farm Mass in the northern part of the archdiocese. This year it was held July 15 at Keith and Odessa Boeckman’s Family Farm near Coldwater, Ohio. The presider was Father Richard Walling, pastor of the Coldwater Cluster of Catholic Parishes, which includes Holy Trinity in Coldwater, St. Mary in Coldwater, and St. Anthony in Ft. Recovery.
The Mass is an opportunity for farmers, families, friends and neighbors to come together in a prayerful way to praise God for the blessings of faith, farm and family. Catholic Century Farm Awards were given to eligible Catholic families who have farmed the same land for 100 years or more. I was happy to be one of over 500 people at this faith and fellowship event.
Story by Sister Martha Bertke
Top, the Boeckman family farm in 2019; bottom, a Rural-Urban Farm Mass altar decoration from 2017. Contributed photos