Moon Tree lands at Short Journey 

Fr. Luke Rawicki recently blessed a Moon Tree dedicated to the students and educators of the former Short Journey School, the namesake of our retreat center. 

The seedling flew around the Moon on NASA’s Artemis I mission in 2022, journeying 270,000 miles from Earth. After returning to Earth, the tree seeds germinated under the USDA Forest Service's care. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement’s Next Generation STEM project and the agency’s Office of Strategic Infrastructure’s Logistics Management division worked to identify their new homes.

Cardinal Gibbons is one of almost 50 institutions nationwide that received the first batch of seeds. The tree was planted at Short Journey over the summer. Science educator Diane Ripollone spearheaded the effort to secure a Moon Tree. 

NASA chose institutions based on criteria that evaluated their suitability to care for the various tree species and their ability to maximize educational opportunities around the life and growth of the tree in their communities.

“What an incredible journey these future Moon Trees have already been on, and we’re excited for them to begin the final journey to permanent homes on campuses and institutions across the country,” said Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. “We hope these trees will stand for centuries to come for the public’s enjoyment, inspiring future generations of scientists and land stewards.”