Mary's Garden

Mary's Garden, technically not a chapel, but more of a wayside shrine, has evolved into the serene place of prayer that it is.

The statue of Mary was formerly near the north entrance of the church. When the offices of the Pastoral Center were built it was "temporarily" move to its present location near the South entrance. Flowers were placed in honor of the Virgin and landscaping evolved. In June of 2007, a parishioner offered his professional services and flowing water was added.

Those who visit Mary at this outdoor shrine can sit and pray as they are soothed with the sound of running water as it cascades down river rocks on either side of the statute. Saint-Exupéry (the author of The Little Prince) contemplated: “Water, thou hast no taste, no color, no odor; canst not be defined, art relished whole ever mysterious. Not necessary to life, but rather life itself, thou fillest us with a gratification that exceeds the delight of the senses.”

One of the official descriptions of Our Lady (from the collection of Masses for the Blessed Virgin Mary) is: Mary, Fountain of Salvation. In the prayers for that Mass, we proclaim—

In the great mystery of the incarnation the Holy Spirit overshadowed the Blessed Virgin and she brought forth [the] eternal Word, Jesus Christ, the fountain of living water, from which all may satisfy their thirst to be one with you in a communion of love. The Church also provided for all the faithful the waters flowing from Christ’s side. These are rich, life-giving waters served in the sacraments, so that those who share in them with faith may be filled with the Holy Spirit and find Christ, their Savior.

May all who pray at Mary’s Garden outside the doors of the narthex be reminded of the life-giving waters flowing from Christ’s side, the richness of which we partake in the sacraments!

Thanks

The expertise of one of our own parishioners, Marty Haines, can be seen in Mary’s Garden. He designed and built the waterfalls and the mechanisms that run them.

Thanks to Marty and to his helpers. They diligently labored to produce an upgraded shrine to Mary that offers a corner of peace and tranquility for all those seeking a moment of prayer.

(From the Pastor's page of the July 1, 2007 parish bulletin).

 

This page updated on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 03:17 PM

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