By Mary Caton-Rosser
Catholic Herald correspondent

Catholic tends to garden dedicated to Mary

RIVER FALLS -- On any given morning, Kathy Peterson can be found checking on the Memorial to Life Garden that surrounds the Monument to Life at St. Bridget Church in River Falls. The theme of this year's garden focuses on the Blessed Virgin. The monument was dedicated by the parish in June, 1998, as a tribute to life.

Just a little over a year ago, Peterson would not have imagined that she would ever be watering, weeding and pondering what could be planted next in the garden.

Peterson, initiated into the parish at last spring's Easter Vigil, has become the primary designer and caretaker for the Memorial to Life Garden. Throughout the growing season, Peterson selected and tended to a variety of plants rooted in the ancient tradition of the Medieval Mary Garden. The design is a natural extension of Peterson's devotion to the Virgin, as she has been a long time collector of Marian icons and statues.

"Mary truly represents the warm and fertile, receptive and faithful soil. For anyone who has ever planted a seed, tended a garden, or watched a flower grow and bloom, it is not difficult to see how a garden symbolizes the mysteries of Mary and Jesus in our lives."

Peterson has done extensive research in choosing the plants for the garden. She found that as early as the fourth century, Christians recognized God's expression of grace in nature and flowers. Even if illiterate, many worshippers of the era learned the mysteries of the faith through "flower theology."

Monasteries and convents throughout Europe promoted the devotion, and even St. Benedict is known to have kept a rose garden dedicated to Mary. St. Bernard, in the 12th century, described Mary as "the rose of charity," "the lily of chastity," "the violet of humility," and the "golden gillyflower of heaven."

As a youth, Peterson attended The Marshall School in Duluth, Minn., formerly Duluth Cathedral School. Although her family's religious orientation was Lutheran, and her mother was a public school administrator in the area, the family valued the spiritual instruction and guidance offered through Marshall's system.

Peterson graduated with degrees from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and the University of Wisconsin-Superior. She worked for 10 years as a middle school teacher near Los Angeles. After a bad car accident and the beginning of other health problems, Peterson returned to the Midwest. With some relatives in the Twin Cities area, she came to River Falls in 1998.

Peterson remembers driving by the church and taking interest in the monument and planter on East Division Street, but never considered that one day it would be her project. Her collection of Mary icons was a pivotal factor in connecting her with people in the parish, however.

One instance involved a friend, Peggy Lowell, who, while visiting Peterson's home, became intrigued with her shelf full of Mary statues. Their discussion motivated them to attend Mass together at St. Bridget, and as a result of hearing an announcement on RCIA, they signed up for the program.

"I was awestruck by the music and the people participating at the Mass," says Peterson of her first visit to the parish.

Another connection to the parish was her chance meeting with Heidi Smith, a member of St. Bridget. The two met at a rummage sale at the school gym, where both were in search of religious icon figures.

"We began talking about our common interest in these figures, and kept in contact after that," explains Peterson. "When she found out I wasn't (Catholic), she suggested I get involved in the RCIA program."

Peterson also found out that Smith was in charge of the Monument to Life garden. Because of Smith's busy schedule, she had assigned the task out to various people. The complete connection had been made. Peterson not only enrolled in RCIA, but also began working with ideas for the coming year's garden, networking with other parishioners who would help prepare the soil and donate plants symbolizing Mary and the work of Jesus.

The St. Bridget family of support continued to grow for Peterson from there. Peterson credits Fr. Jerry Harris, pastor, and parish nurse Dorothy Maul with connecting her to medical care and treatment at Rochester's Mayo Clinic. Morris and Judy Marsolek cultivated and helped plant the garden plot, and also housed Peterson for a period of time when poor health caused major financial problems for her this past spring.

"During the time Kathy was living with us," explains Judy Marsolek, "we talked quite a bit about the garden. The monument and the garden are now an invitation for people to come sit, pray and meditate."

The Monument to Life concept and planning were initially a project of the Knights of Columbus. Local KC member, David Soward, explains that many parish groups and individuals became involved and helped with the landscaping, electrical work and the benches.

"It now provides us with a place for reflection on the gift of life given us by God. This is life that begins in the womb, and continues until we are united with our Creator," he says. "The monument depicts a mother holding her child, just as God holds all of us. So it is really dedicated to life in all aspects."

Several local donors supplied the plants and plant care advice for the Mary garden. In designing the garden, Peterson was also able to integrate some special strawberry plants donated by Heidi Smith's husband, Brian, a horticulture professor at UW-River Falls.

The "Fruitful Virgin" plants are nationally recognized for their ability to flower and fruit at the same time. Skyline Nursery of River Falls, operated by Karen and Clay Jeulfs, donated all the flowers including zinnias, marigolds and geraniums, all symbolic of the Virgin. Mike and Elizabeth Halama contributed potting soil and peat moss. Margaret Smith and Kathy Smith provided input on what to plant, and when and how to plant.

Plans have already begun for next year's garden. With fall approaching, Peterson is contemplating the best time of year to plant bulbs. She hopes to have approximately 700 iris, tulip, daffodil, hyacinth, day lily and crocus bulbs within the month, in order to prepare the new outer ring of the existing Memorial Garden for spring bloom. Even though no budget is in place for this at the time, Peterson is confident that the plan will come together.

"Even though the garden is full of surprises, just like life, we need to realize that God's plan will always supercede ours."

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2001