ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / July 19, 2000

GARYVILLE – As one walks out the back door of Faith House and into the prayer garden, the serenity and quiet is a bit overwhelming. The onlysounds are the soft winds through the pine trees and the different bird calls.

“There are loads of birds here,” said Sister Geraldine Moran C.H.F.”Somebody told me that there are seven species of birds here in the garden.”Sister Geraldine, a cheerful and energetic Irish woman, spreads out her arms. “It is lovely, is it not?”She is very proud of what she and the parishioners of St. Hubert’s haveaccomplished. In the middle of Garyville, on three and a half acres of land,a small Garden of Eden has taken shape.

Pine trees, crepe myrtles, palms, fig and olive trees, roses and other flowers line the paths of the prayer garden. There are two winding pathsthat snake their way through the trees.

The inner path is the Path of Prophets. Each stop along the way representsone of the great Biblical prophets, starting with Abraham and going all the way to St. John the Baptist at a sparkling, bubbling fountain and smallbrook.

“These waters also represent the waters of creation,” says the Rev. C.J.Caluda, priest at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church.From the fountain the path becomes the Way of the Cross on the perimeter of the garden. The path winds its way through the 15 Stations of theCross and ends at a large statue of Jesus rising from his grave.

Next to the garden is the Rosary Walk, a large expanse of grass with a circular path with the posts representing the Holy Rosary. Sitting in themiddle of the circle is a large gazebo surrounded by blooming crepe myrtles. In the gazebo is a large altar used for services.Father Caluda, along with Sister Geraldine, has been working on the Rosary Walk and Prayer Garden for the past eight years.

“This was a gradual development,” said Caluda. “Where the Rosary Walk isused to be a baseball field.”The St. John Parish Recreation Department moved out of the area and thechurch bought the field and constructed the walk and the gazebo. Later,the rest of the property became available. A house located on the back ofthe property was renovated and re-named Faith House. That is whereSister Geraldine now resides.

After that, local people started donating time, energy, money and materials. Five years later the Prayer Garden was finally finished.”A number of churches have prayer gardens now,” said Caluda, “but none of them have this much space.”Sister Geraldine is quick to point out the parishioners are really to be thanked for the garden.

“A lot of the volunteer work was led by Betty Vicknair,” said Sister Geraldine. “She was our ‘green thumb’ lady and did all the plants.”The Melancon family renovated the Faith House and others helped to build the Stations of the Cross, the fountain and all the other parts of the garden and Rosary Walk.

“Everything except for the gazebo was donated by parishioners,” said Sister Geraldine.

Located at the back of the prayer garden is a small, neat Creole cottage painted yellow with a rocking chair on the porch. This is the Hermitage, aretreat designed for one to two people to live in for several days. Withinthe Hermitage is a small kitchen, bath, bedroom and an area for worship.

“This is a place for meditation or to sit and relax and re-charge yourself,” said Caluda.

The Hermitage was built by Huey Tamplain and his sons. Unfortunately,Huey died before the cottage was finished. However, on his death bed, hemade his sons promise they would finish the Hermitage for the parish.

The Hermitage is free to be used by anyone from several hours or up to eight days. However, Father Caluda recommends that people call toreserve it.

“We’re pretty booked up right now,” said Caluda.

The Hermitage is for “one person or matrimonial couples.” Bedding andtowels are provided by the parish, but occupants have to bring their own food.

The St. Hubert Prayer Garden and Rosary Walk was dedicated and blessedon July 8. In a ceremony that included Bishop Greg Aymand, the prayergarden was officially opened to the public.

For those of you who wish a quiet escape from the uproar and chaos of modern life, the St. Hubert prayer garden and Rosary Walk is a welcomeoasis. If you want to re-charge your soul and expand your relationshipwith the spiritual, the Hermitage might just be the ticket. To reserve yourplace call 535-3312, 535-2828 or 535-2781. Or you can write to “TheHermitage”, P.O. Box 114, Garyville, La 70051.Back to Top

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