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Humility House dedicates prayer garden
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor.The beautiful rose garden that stands at the center of the Humility House “Garden of Memories.”
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Mary Jane Gingher (left) invited Mary Ann Baldwin to say a few words about her mother after placing the plaque honoring her near a spring maple tree.
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The last plaque was placed by Kim Snowden (left), Pat Linert and Mike Linert (right) who paused to thank Humility House for their care of Pat Linert’s mother.
By SARAH FOOR
The dedication of the prayer garden at Humility House July 30 was both a solemn, reflective affair, as well as a joyful sharing of memories and stories.
Mary Lou Clatterbuck explained in her welcome that the garden dedication was “for all of our old and new residents, and especially for those residents that we have lost.”
Executive director Clatterbuck and Sister Mary Lou Palas, spiritual care coordinator at Humility House, welcomed guests and families while showing them the grounds of the prayer area — a large oval with 10 blooming trees and a rose garden, all dedicated to former residents.
After a welcome and opening prayer, Sister Palas blessed the grounds with holy water.
The families of the former residents placed plaques near a personalized tree. Some of these included a spring maple for Mary Ann Baldwin’s mother, Mary Benyo; and a Japanese weeping cherry tree for Pat Linert’s mother, Stella Romain. The family members usually had a memory to share and many thanked Humility House for the care of their loved ones in their last years.
While the prayer area is fully operational, Mary Jane Gingher, the activities director, hopes to expand the garden to include a koi pond, ivy plants and multiple seating areas.
To raise funds, Humility House is selling bricks that will line the sidewalk surrounding the prayer area, and hopes to sell the remaining 313 bricks by December.
Anyone interested can contact Humilty House at 330-505-0144.