The Center for Women in Church and Society honored the late Sister Martha Rose Lange, CDP, founder of the Peace Garden, with a garden stone on April 22, Earth Day.

Members of the CDP/ACDP Earth Care Committee thought Earth Day was the perfect day to honor the caretakers of the Peace Garden who have answered God’s call to care for the Earth. The CDP/ACDP Earth Care Committee held a prayer service on Earth Day and honored Sister Martha Rose, who brought glory to God by planting, nurturing and growing all the beauty you see in the Peace Garden.

Julie Bedson honored the deceased members of the Earth Care Committee with metal flowers with their names painted on the pedals.

Before her death, Sister Martha Rose was asked why she spent so much time working in the Peace Garden. Sister Martha Rose said, “If you only knew how many people from the university come to the Peace Garden.” Sister Martha Rose was always welcoming and eager to talk about the Peace Garden.

OLLU students from the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) who have been caring for the Peace Garden, dressed as the four seasons, each also represented one of the four elements of nature. They blessed the Peace Garden and those who participated in the Earth Day Celebration with holy water. During the blessing OLLU Alum Dr. Bonnie Abadie sang Peace is Flowing Like a River.