 |
|
|
Garden honoring Mary offers respite to pregnancy center visitors
By Julie Filby
|
BLESSING OF MARY GARDEN Date: Sept. 3 |
Last summer when Mike Talley, a parishioner of St. Thomas More in Centennial, delivered a load of donations to the Gabriel House pregnancy center, director Mimi Eckstein offered to take him on a tour.
During the tour of the 1940s bungalow in Denver’s Montclair neighborhood, the two discussed potential volunteer opportunities. When Mike saw the backyard, he knew one way his family could help: a Mary garden.
Wife Santhe Talley, an experienced gardener who previously established a Mary garden at their parish school, was on-board with the idea right away.
“Many mothers turn to Mary in times of challenge,” said Talley, mother of three: ages 8, 5 and 3. “The (Marian) plants have a lot of symbolism that directly relate to her attributes and stories of her life. The Mary garden is a beautiful place to visit and relax, while feeling the closeness of Mother Mary.”
The garden, planted last September has become a respite for guests and volunteers at the house—an outreach providing material, emotional and spiritual support to pregnant mothers and their families.
“Mary is our guide and inspiration for the ministry,” said Eckstein. “She reached out to Elizabeth in her time of need and cared for her and her unborn baby—that’s what the volunteers do in their work here.
“The Mary garden gives (volunteers) a place to sit with their moms during their time together at the house,” she said. “It provides a peaceful place to sit during their very busy day.”
Once plans were approved, Tally recruited friends to help.
“Some gave financial contributions toward the purchase of plants, some donated plants, and a handful came to plant last fall,” she said.
Plants were chosen for their Marian significance as well as the Colorado climate (click here to view some of the plants chosen), were selected much in the same way any gardener would choose plants,” she said. “I have a list of specific plants for a Mary garden; then considered that the Gabriel House is in gardening zone 5 and part-shade—that further dictated what would be appropriate.”
|
Photo by Julie Filby/DCR |
“It was a beautiful gesture to give us such a gift,” said Eckstein.
Talley maintains the plot with volunteer help, including Lisa Kesselman, also a parishioner of St. Thomas More.
“I can’t think of a better place to honor our Blessed Mother than the Gabriel House,” said Kesselman. “I have great appreciation and respect for their work—the thoughtful guidance and support they provide changes women’s lives, and that of their children.”
The Talleys’ support of Gabriel House was inspired when they adopted their 3-year-old daughter last year.
“There’s a strong need in our community and society for pregnant women to feel like they have a place to go for emotional and spiritual support,” said Talley, “in addition to getting the basics like clothing, formula and diapers.”
Donations delivered by husband Mike that day were gathered at a shower celebrating the adoption. In lieu of gifts, they requested guests bring material and financial donations for the ministry.
“It takes approximately $28,000 to sustain the house yearly,” said Eckstein. “(It) can’t survive without the generosity of individuals who have a passion for helping the most vulnerable in our society today.”
Since the house opened in October 2009, the ministry has gone from serving approximately six individuals in a six-month period to serving more than 800 in the same time frame.
“Help in the house with moms, clothing, organizing and cleaning is always welcome,” said Eckstein.
The garden and statue will be blessed at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 3 following the 8:15 a.m. Mass at St. James Parish. A brunch will follow.
[Click here] to read about Marian flowers and their associated legends.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||