Onawa parish to bless prayer garden

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
September 25, 2002

ONAWA - Peaceful and meditative are two words that can be used to describe the new prayer garden at St. John Church.

This new addition to the parish grounds at the Catholic church in Onawa will be blessed during a dedication service slated for Sunday, Sept. 28 following 10 a.m. Mass. The dedication was originally planned for Sept. 21, but inclement weather postponed the occasion for a week.

"The setting is very conducive to quiet time and prayer," said Father Harry McAlpine, pastor at St. John's in Onawa.

The major features of the garden include a water well, a statue of the Holy Family and four benches. Assorted flowers and shrubs add color to the garden that is nestled in an outside corner between the parish center and church.

He noted that the prayer garden was made possible through the financial support of parishioner Rosemarie Marley.

Marley pointed out that she financed the garden as a memorial in honor of her husband, the late Leo W. Marley, who died more than five years ago. She added that the former pastor, Father Frank Nemmers had initiated the project and was the one to approach her about the garden a few years ago.

Her contribution to the meditative environment included the selection and purchase of the Holy Family statue. Marley is particularly pleased with the positioning of the statue in the garden.

Father McAlpine noted plans were underway for the garden and the statue had already been ordered upon his arrival in July of 2002. With the help of professional landscapers, Better Homes Nursery and Garden of Sioux City, the pastor updated the design of the garden.

"I wanted it to be a welcoming and meditative setting," said the pastor, who was referred to the landscapers by parishioners Dr. Gerard Stanley and his wife, Midge. "With the beautiful statue, it really is a special setting - to pray to the Holy Family for guidance and inspiration."

Marley's niece, Pauline Zima, described the garden as beautiful.

"I like the well with the bubbling water," said Zima. "A lot of the Bible stories have a well." The serene sound of the water trickling adds to the reflective nature of the setting.

Along with private prayer for individuals, she envisioned that the garden could possibly be used for small prayer services or as a place to recite the rosary. It might also provide the perfect place to take her students for religious education classes for reflective prayer time.

The women said that anyone in the neighborhood or from the community who might want to sit quietly and meditate would be welcome at the prayer garden.

David Hausman, a parishioner and member of the parish finance council, said, "It is a very attractive, very pleasant setting. It should offer and excellent area for private meditation."

Located just outside the parish center, he said the prayer garden offers a "delightful addition" to the center and St. John's.

"It was a very generous donation on behalf of the Marley family," said Hausman.

Father McAlpine noted that the reaction to the prayer garden has been very positive. It already has gotten much use.