Memorial Garden for the Unborn
Jeremiah 1:5 says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you before you were born I dedicated you.”
This powerful verse acknowledges God’s hand in creating all life. There are many parents who have lost a child before they were born. If you have not personally experienced that, we are guessing you know someone who has. Loved ones still mourn their loss even though these children may not have been named or have a physical resting place. This is no fault of the parents as there is rarely any guidance in these situations.
Please Come Visit Us!
St. John’s would like to invite you and anyone you know who may benefit from a visit to our Memorial Garden for the Unborn. St John’s Respect Life committee had a vision for a memorial for children lost while still in the womb… children we were never able to hold in our arms as well as those held for too short a time. A sincere thank you to all who have helped with making this vision become a reality. This could not have been completed without the help of many, and it is obvious God’s hand has been in this project from the beginning.
Location
The garden is located to the north of the church behind the parking lot and just to the north of the Mary Garden. A rosary walking path has been added around the Mary garden, and an arbor was placed at the entry to the gardens. We hope that all will take advantage of these beautiful gardens. The memorial is much more than a monument to look at. It is a place for family and loved ones to visit, to mourn, to remember… A place for everyone to be able to pray for all children lost too soon.
Stones for the Memorial Garden for the Unborn
The memorial garden has an area to place memorial stones for remembering individual souls. Family members are invited to place a stone in the garden to remember their child(ren). The table below outlines some of the memorial stone options.
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Memorial Stone Options (informational sheets are also included in the box from which a stone may be selected) |
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| Painted |
Family members are invited to choose a stone from a box that has been placed in the garden. Paint it with the name of the child you would like to remember, and return it to place in the memorial garden. The parish office has available paint markers and permanent markers that you may borrow for writing names on the stones. Note: The weather will remove the paint and marker over time. To help slow the weathering process, you may want to add a protective coating, and periodically re-apply it. |
| Name Plate | Family members are invited to choose a stone from a box that has been placed in the garden. Attach a name plate that has the name of the child you would like to remember, and return it to place in the memorial garden. Name plates are available for purchse on Amazon; key words to search: "custom engraved name plate". Suggested size would be 2" x 3", 2" x 4", 1" x 3", or 1.5" x 3" (measure the rock you've selected before deciding on the name plate size to purchase). |
| Engraved |
If family members would like to engrave their own stone, they are invited to choose a stone from a box that has been placed in the garden, engrave it with the name of the child you would like to remember, and return it to place in the memorial garden. A family may decide to purchase a custom engraved stone to place in the memorial garden, such as from Etsy; key words to search: "engraved stones". |
We believe that all God’s children are with Jesus in heaven, but our hope is to provide an avenue to name the child, as well as a place of healing for the loved ones still here on earth.
Many Blessings
If you have questions, please call the parish office. We truly hope you will enjoy the gardens of St. John’s.
Many blessings, St. John’s Respect Life Committee
In Remembrance
