The faithful of St. Nicholas, Walnutport gathered May 10 for a special celebration marking the blessing and dedication of a new Stations of the Cross Garden, a sacred outdoor space created to invite prayer, reflection, meditation, and spiritual renewal.
The celebration began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Alfred Schlert and was followed by the formal blessing and dedication of the Stations of the Cross throughout the garden.
The newly completed garden features 14 stations depicting the journey of Jesus Christ from His condemnation by Pontius Pilot to His burial. Carefully placed along a peaceful walking path, the stations offer visitors a place for prayer, reflection, and devotion to the Passion of Jesus Christ during the Lenten season and throughout the year.
“The Stations of the Cross Garden will be a place where people can step away from the busyness of life and enter into prayer,” said Father Abraham Ha, Pastor. “It is our hope this sacred garden will serve not only our parish community but all individuals and families who are seeking quiet reflection, prayer, meditation and to grow closer to Our Lord throughout the year.”
Parish leaders expressed gratitude to the generosity of a donor, parishioners, and volunteers who contributed their time, resources, and talents to bring the vision to life and made this project possible. Parish leaders noted that the garden will serve not only the parish community but also the wider faithful of the Diocese and extended community.
Bishop Schlert said that that when he visits parishes throughout the Diocese, he gets to see how they thrive. St. Nicholas has shown — with the renovation of the inside of the church and now the completion of the Stations of the Cross Garden — that the parish is thriving.
He expressed his gratitude to the Kevin Joswick family for their vision and giving the parish a place to pray and a place for the community.
After the dedication ceremony, attendees toured the garden and enjoyed light refreshments.
Photos by Rey Gabriel.
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