Story by Liz Hayes, staff writer for Trib Total Media, appearing in the Sunday, October 4, 215 Valley News Dispatch
By Liz Hayes
Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, 12:26 a.m.
During Mass at Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church Saturday, Rev. James Holland referenced Boy Scout Daniel Bauer as an example of the blessings children bring.
“We see in our children hope for the future,” Holland told his West Deer parish. “Let us embrace them. Let us accept children lovingly from God.”
Following the service, parishioners joined Holland and Daniel's family to dedicate a prayer garden Daniel constructed as part of an Eagle Scout project.
Daniel, a 17-year-old junior at Deer Lakes High School, said when he first began to consider an Eagle project, he couldn't make up his mind what task to tackle.
“I came up here one day and noticed the statue (of the Virgin Mary) was just standing here,” leaning against the front of the rectory, Daniel said.
He decided to build a small garden around the statue, which faces McKrell Road and is one of the first things visitors see as they enter church property.
Daniel sold hoagies to raise money and received donations and discounts from local businesses to purchase the plants, gravel, paving stones, a bench and a granite plaque noting his work as part of Boy Scout Troop 169.
“This troop is such a blessing to this parish,” Holland said.
With help from fellow Scouts and his parents, Bill and Barb Bauer of West Deer, Daniel broke ground in June and finished the landscaping within the past week.
Daniel said he initially planned to use mulch in the garden, but the chickens that Holland keeps on the property changed his mind. They quickly began to peck and tear at the mulch.
“We went with stones instead,” Daniel said. “I think it looks better than the mulch would've.”
The chickens and Holland's dog, Sheena, meandered around the congregation during the blessing service that included a hymn, Bible reading and rosary prayers that referenced Mary.
“This garden will remind us of the close ties of Mary to Christ and his church,” Holland said.
Daniel read from the Bible's Gospel of Luke, in which Elizabeth, pregnant with the child who would become John the Baptist, is visited by Mary.
“Like Elizabeth, Daniel was inspired to do or say something wonderful about Mary,” Holland said. “This will be a place of prayer first and foremost, because it is prayer that brings us together as a family.”
Liz Hayes is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-226-4680 or lhayes@tribweb.com.
