USA, by Laura Schuckenbrock, Mothers’ Branch leader at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish •
One morning in March after daily mass and rosary, I was sitting with Blessed Mother in her little Wayside shrine of the Annunciation at St Gabriel’s. I looked at her and said: “Blessed Mother, we love you so much and this little garden does not reflect all the love we have for you here at St. Gabriel’s.” What would you like dear Mother? Inspire me, and I will do it. Dear Father and Founder, you were always good at knowing God’s wishes and doing God’s will, please pray that we can give our Mother a beautiful garden here in this little shrine. Tell me how to go about it.
A few days later, I followed the inspiration of our dear Father and Founder to call Missy Schwegman, the Couples’ leader, to talk about helping to fix up the garden. Missy said “yes” and said she would have Jay, her husband, help us.
Roses in honor of loved ones
At our Mothers’ meeting the first week in April, one of the mothers, Barbara, shared that she loves to look at the roses she has planted in honor of her deceased mother and family members. I thought: “That’s it!” I would ask the mothers to donate roses in honor of their loved ones. That weekend Jay Schwegman and I came equipped with a gas-powered tiller, twelve large bags of mulch, and some plants! The whole area was full of donated plants for the garden. What an answer to prayer! Thank you, dear Father Kentenich!
Jay, his nine-year old daughter, Annie, and I worked all day from 10 am until 5 pm to finish. We can truly say it is a beautiful place. Beautiful May blossoms for our Mother and Queen!
Edited: Melissa Peña-Janknegt, Elgin, TX USA
