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August 26, 2016, Adrian, Michigan – More than 100 Sisters, donors and friends helped formally dedicate the new Dominican Life Center Reflective Garden on a warm afternoon on August 25.

To begin, Sister Esther Kennedy, OP, welcomed the energy from the Earth and the gifts those energies bring: from the east, the gift of insight; from the south, the gift of compassion; from the west, the gifts of acceptance and courage; from the north, the gift of freedom; and from the center, the gifts of relationship and interconnectedness.

In her remarks Prioress Sister Pat Siemen, OP, welcomed those in attendance and thanked donors and others who helped fund, plan and build the garden.

“We are so delighted that you are here today to celebrate and give witness to the blessing of this garden, which, because it is innately imbued with God’s presence, is already holy,” Sister Pat said. “Our blessing manifests this reality that exists among us.”

The ceremony also included prayer, poetry, a blessing ritual, tours, refreshments, and music by a saxophone quartet.

The Reflective Garden was created especially for Sisters living at the DLC with memory loss. The area is secured by a vinyl fence, which provides safety and reduces distraction. Design features include a prayer garden, butterfly garden, hummingbird garden, wide accessible walkways, and raised garden beds for Sisters who want to participate in planting.

More than 1,100 donors contributed $247,000 for the completion of the garden.

To watch a video of the dedication, visit the Adrian Dominican Sisters Facebook page, or see the embedded video below.

Click here to see photos from the event. 

Feature photo: Sister Pat Siemen, Prioress, uses lavender water to bless and dedicate the new Dominican Life Center Reflective Garden during a ceremony August 25.

August 26, 2016, Adrian, Michigan – The Adrian Dominican Sisters join with others in prayer for Sister Paula Merrill, SCN, and Sister Margaret Held, SSF, who were found murdered in their home in rural Mississippi on August 25. We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families; friends; members of their religious communities, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and School Sisters of St. Francis; the staff of the Lexington Medical Clinic; and the thousands of people they cared for in their health ministry. Together, may our prayers bring consolation to all who grieve, and an end to violence in our world.