ANNA MONICA

GARYVILLE – There really is no other place like it within miles. It is peaceful, prayerful and there is beauty in the prayer garden in which it sits. It’s called “The Hermitage,” located in Garyville, in the church parish of St. Hubert, only a one hour drive from either New Orleans or Baton Rouge. It is a building equipped for quiet prayer and reflection and is the fulfillment of a plan for the millennium pastor, Charles Caluda, supported by pastoral associate, Sr. Geraldine Moran, for St. Hubert Parish. It is the only one parish-based in the archdiocese of New Orleans. Sr. Geraldine says, “Our greatest joy would be to be imitated.” “The Hermitage” is truly unique. Sr. Geraldine was quite familiar with them as hermitages have always been part of the Irish spiritual background where people would “go apart to pray.” And, anyone can make a reservation to use the Hermitage. It is fully equipped with all the necessities for comfort. You enter “The Hermitage” through what is called a “sacred space,” equipped with a chair for meditation. There is also a kneeler which can be used. Straight ahead of that is the kitchen which has a microwave, two stove tops, a refrigerator and complimentary tea, coffee and drinking water. People bring their own food or sometimes go get take-out food. They can also buy groceries at the local store. The bedroom to the right of the sacred space is well equipped with a closet, a double bed which has a lovely afghan with a cross pattern made by local parishioner Fay Kilburn and a comfortable chair. There is a pallet to rest on your lap for writing, lamps for more lighting, windows to look out of and even a CD/ tape recorder. The bathroom has a shower. So far, occupants of “The Hermitage” have been quite a mixture, coming from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Tickfaw, Reserve, River Ridge and Paradis, to name a few places. They have included couples celebrating their wedding anniversaries, religious who come for a five-to eight-day directed retreat, deacons, singles and teen-agers whose parents are familiar with the concept. There was one mother and her “Sweet 16” daughter who came to “The Hermitage” with the daughter’s prom dress for the next day. The dress hung in the closet while they spent their quiet time and loved it. “The Hermitage” is even available for use for a few hours or one day and one can be assured of not having any distractions. Here, as Sr. Geraldine says, you can have stillness, solitude, read, go walk the levee, use the daily mass chapel at St. Hubert’s across the street for quiet reflection or join the parishioners each morning for mass. Sr. also says “Many moments of my prayer here were for those who made this Hermitage available and for the parishioners of St. Hubert Parish. The spiritual benefits are for all our parishioners; for people who don’t even know they are being prayed for. It will bring graces and blessings for our parish.” Built at no cost for labor, much of it provided by the late Huey Tamplain and completed by his sons, other donations have paid for contents of the Hermitage, thus costing the parish nothing. “It has been a project blessed by the generosity of the people,” says Sr. Geraldine. Not only “The Hermitage,” but also the prayer garden and rosary walk are open to people of all faiths. The prayer garden is a favorite of retreat groups, especially from the schools, and is also used by confirmation classes. Doug Triche brings his senior class to act as leaders in retreats for elementary students. The Stations of the Cross in the garden are especially popular with retreatants. Sr. Geraldine keeps a calendar of bookings for those wishing to reserve a date. A donation of $15 for a day and night is recommended. The mailing address to book a reservation is “The Hermitage,” P.O. Box 114, Garyville, LA 70051. For registration forms and information call (985) 535-3312 or 535-2828.