The Angel of Hope Committee, in partnership with St. Rose Parish Staff, St. Rose Parish Council, local contractors, and an anonymous donor, is excited to announce the upcoming opening of the Angel of Hope Prayer Garden and Community Pavilion at St. Rose Church in Maria Stein, Ohio. This significant new project will serve as a place of comfort, healing, and hope for families who have experienced the loss of a child, while also offering a gathering space for the broader community.

The Angel of Hope Prayer Garden is designed to honor the lives of all children gone too soon. The garden will provide a tranquil setting for parents, families, and friends to reflect, grieve, and heal. The centerpiece of the garden will be the Angel of Hope statue, a powerful symbol of remembrance and solace.

Months of planning and collaboration between Angel of Hope Prayer Garden director, Anna Sampson Katterhenry, local contractors, and the St. Rose Parish Staff and Parish Council have culminated in this inspiring vision. The garden will not only feature the Angel of Hope statue but also an accompanying Community Pavilion and a statue of Mother Mary.

The idea of adding a pavilion to the prayer garden was suggested by local parishioner and landscaper, Cole Dahlinghaus. Together with Katterhenry and the committee, the decision was made to enhance the garden with this addition, as well as the Mother Mary statue, in response to the needs of both the parish and the wider community.

The Angel of Hope Prayer Garden is designed to be a versatile space that will serve as a gathering place for families, local prayer groups, CCD classes, and community events, such as the annual parish picnic. The prayer garden will also be available for funerals and memorial services, providing a peaceful and contemplative environment.

In addition to the prayer garden and pavilion, the project will include improvements to the church’s parking lot, with the addition of new cement behind the Our Father’s House. These enhancements are part of the parish’s ongoing efforts to preserve and improve the historical value of the St. Rose Church property.

The Angel of Hope Prayer Garden and Community Pavilion is expected to provide lasting benefits to the parish and the local community for years to come. The dedication ceremony for the garden and pavilion will take place on June 8, 2025, at 12:30 p.m., and will be open to all who wish to attend.

St. Rose Church, located at 7428 OH 119 in Maria Stein, Ohio, has long been a pillar of the community. The church and its parish are committed to offering spiritual guidance, fostering community connections, and enhancing the historic integrity of its grounds.