For decades, visitors to San Damiano have admired the vibrant vegetable garden nestled near the entrance, a quiet, flourishing space that spoke volumes about dedication, care, and community. What many may not have known is that this garden was lovingly planted, nurtured, and harvested by Monona native Rev. John Sheild, beginning in the early 1980s.
The summer of 2024 marked John's final season in the garden.On April 16, 2025, he passed away at the age of 94, leaving behind not only abeautifully cultivated plot of land but a deep legacy of service, compassion,and stewardship.
John was a retired pastor from Lake Edge United Church ofChrist on Buckeye Road in Monona, where he began his ministry in 1966. In 1981,he and his wife Jean settled into their Monona home. Shortly after, a neighbor,Len Riha, who had connections with the priests at what was then the San DamianoFriary, invited John to help start a garden on the property. The two becamegardening partners and friends, working side-by-side until Len's passing in2019. From then on, John tended the garden alone.
To John, gardening was more than just planting and harvesting. It was spiritual work, a reminder of growth, responsibility, and gratitude. “Working in the garden felt like coming home,” he once said. "Gardening teaches the miracle of growth, the responsibility of work, and to never take anything for granted.”
John’s love for the land was evident not just in the producehe grew but in the way he welcomed others into the space. He encouragedvisitors to spend time in the garden, to absorb the peaceful beauty of SanDamiano, and to reflect on its deeper meaning. Much of what he and Lenharvested was shared with the community, often donated to those in need orgiven to St. Stephen’s Food Pantry.
When the City of Monona began the process of purchasing the San Damiano property, John shared his hopes for its future in a recorded interview. He spoke of the land as “God’s creation in its finest and most enjoyable form,” and reminded listeners that “nature doesn’t belong to us, we are given the opportunity to be forever caretakers.”
Now, with John’s passing and the garden’s future uncertain,we are left with his words — and his example. His legacy reminds us thatstewardship begins with small acts of care, and that beauty and community cangrow from even the humblest seed.
As John once said, “Everybody can do a little bit. And whenyou add little bits together, big things happen.”
