Do you tell your parents “no”?

Do you say “no” to your parents? Are you able to? If so, does it come easy or does it fill you with guilt?

The St. Mary’s Health Foundation Board was recently asked for a meaningful favor to honor our parents – the Daughters of Charity.

St. Mary’s would like to build the Daughters of Charity Prayer Garden in the grassy area outside of our Chapel to pay homage to the amazing women who gave birth to our Mission and Ministry in 1872. Our Board’s decision was quite easy. And, as one Board member asked, “How do you say “no” to your parents?!”

Well, the Foundation Board voted unanimously to fund the major construction costs for the Prayer Garden and is thrilled to do so. After all, without the Daughters, St. Mary’s would simply not exist. There would be no hospital, no physicians or nurses, no Foundation and no Foundation Board.

Thanks to the Daughters, our Mission is alive and well today – 143 years later.

The Daughters are important to more than St. Mary’s though, which is why we have started a brick campaign. The entire community is invited to purchase bricks to help support the construction costs of the Prayer Garden. A gift of $100 will purchase an individual brick. Bricks can be inscribed with your name or in honor or memory of a loved one or friend. For more information, please download a brick campaign flyer here.

The initial response from fellow St. Mary’s Associates has been overwhelmingly positive, with a number of Associates purchasing bricks. One Associate even agreed to fund a Statue of Mary for the Prayer Garden. Naming recognition opportunities, including benches and lights, are available if you are interested. Please contact me at 812.485.4412 or richard.peltier@stmarysorg.

With a planned opening in May, the Month of Mary, the Prayer Garden will welcome visitors in time for spring. We believe the Prayer Garden will be a fitting tribute to the Daughters’ legacy. We hope that you agree and will show your support by purchasing a brick today. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Blessings,

Rick Peltier
Director, St. Mary’s Health Foundation