In 1989, the pastor of St. Mary's, the Rev. John Murray, gave Mrs. Sears his blessing to turn a patch of weeds and gum wrappers behind the church Into such a tribute. In designing the garden. In 1991, Father Murray dressed in his finest vestments and sprinkled the garden with holy water. It was Sept. 8, the feast of Mary's birth, the tradltional day for blessing the harvest and the seeds for the coming spring. Today, the Mary Garden Is full and mature.
Colors move through it in waves as the seasons change.
It is a backdrop for photos of brides and first Holy Communion children. Factory workers eat lunch there. St. Mary's schoolchildren plant Mother's Day flowers there. And mourners weep there. One time, It is just a pretty place.