St. Mary church in Oxford, Ohio, held the dedication ceremony for their Angel of Hope Prayer Garden at their Mt. Olivet Cemetery on December 6, 2022.  The weather was cold and frosty, but the hearts of the people were warm and hopeful. The event was attended by members of the parish, cemetery committee, community leaders, Miami University students from the Catholic Newman Center, Treena Newcomer, who is director of the Women’s Pro-life Care Center, and mothers and fathers who have lost a child. The ceremony opened with singing “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art”, and “My Little Baby”.

The gathering opened with a statement of purpose by Pam Burk, business administrator of St. Mary church and the Angel Prayer Garden project leader.  The ceremony featured keynote speaker Minister Christa Elisha Schram.  She described the babies that she has lost, and her personal journey with grief and healing. Lisa Johnson, representing Richard Paul Evans (author of The Christmas Box Angel, the genesis of the Angel of Hope), traveled to Oxford from Utah to share gratitude and excitement on his behalf. Pastor Rodney White, leader of AP (All Peoples) church, led the group in a closing prayer, helping to solidify to the community that the Angel of Hope expands across all faiths and nations. There was a candle lighting ceremony, and white flowers were placed by the Angel of Hope to remember each child that has been lost.