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| The Miracle of Life Rosary Garden at St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff offers a prayerful atmosphere and a sacred place to dignify babies who have died before birth. (Contributed photo) |
PINE BLUFF — Bishop Robert C. Morlino will dedicate the Miracle of Life Rosary Garden at St. Mary of Pine Bluff on Tuesday, May 24, at 6 p.m.
Located in a beautiful rural setting, this garden is designed to be the peaceful resting place of babies who have died before birth. It offers them the dignity and honor they deserve and that their parents seek.
Design of garden
Its design is patterned after the Rosary with five planters for each of the decades flanking a broad and colorful brick walkway.
A beautiful statue of Our Lady Help of Christians is at the head of a gentle waterfall cascading into a reflection pool.
The walk’s 4,000+ bricks may be engraved as memorials to loved ones. This engraving helps to both fund and beautify the garden: $100 for a 4 x 8 inch engraved brick; $200, 8 x 8 inch.
The need for a sacred place
In early 2010, the pastor of St. Mary of Pine Bluff, Fr. Rick Heilman, and others perceived the need for a sacred place where Catholics can honor the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, a place to meditate on the majesty of the Lord who has created all life.
The natural beauty and serenity of St. Mary’s seemed to be the obvious choice. So, Father Heilman presented plans to the parish council and, with the help of Gene Kiedinger, head of building and grounds, selected contractors and began work. Jeff Mahoney focused on building the waterfall.
A profound name
Father Heilman prayed to find just the right name to capture the essence of this garden.
Miracle of Life is a phrase with profound meaning. It recognizes life as a miracle and, therefore, as sacred. But it also confirms our belief in miracles, that God is provident, that He has a divine plan. It counters the emptiness of an earth-bound materialism with the soaring dignity of man created in the image of God and for a divine purpose.
“Called to give life, spouses share in the creative power and fatherhood of God,” says the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2367).
Prayerful atmosphere
The garden is now complete, offering solitude, a prayerful atmosphere, and a sacred place to dignify your loved ones. Landscape lights illuminate the walkway and waterfall in the evening.
On May 24, Bishop Morlino will dedicate the garden, located on County P, just south of Mineral Point Rd.
For more information, visit www.rosarygarden.org or call St. Mary of Pine Bluff at 608-798-2111.