Angel of Hope Prayer Garden Dedication – June 8, 2025

St. Rose Catholic Church – Maria Stein, Ohio

What began as a rainy morning turned into a bright, sunny day just in time for the dedication of the Angel of Hope Prayer Garden and Community Pavilion at St. Rose Catholic Church. This sacred space now stands as a beacon of remembrance, healing, and above all hope for all those who have experienced the loss of a child.

The dedication ceremony was led by Anna Katterhenry, who served as the director of the Angel of Hope Committee and the key organizer of the prayer garden. Anna, representing the garden’s anonymous donor, her godfather and shared a heartfelt message of peace, support, and hope, thanking the community for helping bring this vision to life. Her words highlighted the mission behind the garden and its purpose as a space for grief, healing, and renewal. Anna also reflected on the importance of the Angel of Hope as a reminder that those who grieve are never alone.

The ceremony also featured powerful words from several other key speakers:

• Father Mark Hoying and Deacon Steve Broering shared comforting messages of faith, urging the community to hold onto hope and the promise of God’s love in times of sorrow.

• Lisa Johnson, who traveled from Utah, spoke about the history of the Angel of Hope and the deep inspiration behind the creation of these prayer gardens, emphasizing their impact on grieving families.

• Tim and Lisa Goettemoeller, and Roger and Deb Homan courageously shared their personal stories of loss, underscoring the importance of remembering children who have passed and finding peace in that remembrance.  They bravely shared the personal stories of their children, Jordon Goettemoeller, an unborn Goettemoeller grandchild, and Renee Homan. These parents offered powerful testimonies of love, loss, and enduring hope.

• Cole Dahlinghaus, the landscape designer behind the garden and helped to bring the garden to the community and to life, spoke about the beauty and detail that went into creating the garden’s serene and peaceful atmosphere, making it a true sanctuary for all who visit. He also spoke about the profound importance of this space, the history, and the hope it will offer future generations

The Angel of Hope statue, with its arms wide open and the word “HOPE” inscribed on its wing, stands not over a grave, but as a symbol of love and solace for all who have lost a child. This garden is a place for prayer, reflection, and the quiet healing that comes from knowing you are not alone.

A heartfelt thank you was given to the anonymous donor for making the creation of this prayer garden possible. Anna Katterhenry, as the donor’s representative, expressed deep gratitude to all those who made the garden’s transformation possible. She acknowledged the tireless efforts of Cole Dahlinghaus and the Pleiman Landscaping team, along with local contractors such as Eric Homan, Homan Inc. and Jason Kremer, A & M Concrete Pumping whose generosity contributed to the completion of the concrete driveway.

The old stone driveway is now a welcoming, reflective space.  The community pavilion will serve many purposes from prayer groups and CCD classes to funeral gatherings and joyful moments with family, and friends such as for wedding parties. 

The addition of the Mother Mary statue and a stainless-steel cross crafted by Ed Davis were final touches that brought deep meaning to the space. The cross was commissioned and donated by Anna and Kevin Katterhenry to complete the Angel of Hope Prayer Garden.  Special recognition was also given to Nick Schulze for his leadership in restoring the Our Father’s House, which provided the foundation for the beauty now seen at St. Rose in Maria Stein, Ohio.

This garden is not just a physical space—it is a testament to the strength and spirit of the Maria Stein community. It serves as a place where faith, love, and hope are always present, where grieving families can find solace, and where memories are honored in peace.

May the Angel of Hope Prayer Garden continue to offer comfort and healing to all who visit. May it stand as a lasting reminder that, in times of loss, we are never alone—and that hope never dies.