(Photo by JOHN BONKE) Saginaw Diocese Bishop Robert Carlson offers a prayer before he blesses a columbarium in the Sacred Heart memorial garden in Bad Axe.

Saginaw Diocese Bishop Robert Carlson offered the dedication prayers and performed the blessing.

The newly-finished area includes benches, a statue of Jesus, and a bricked walkway with, currently, approximately 85 bricks engraved.

The event also included Scripture reading (Rev. 21:1-7) by Jan Rapson, songs ("On Eagles Wings" and "The 23rd Psalm") led by Gary Krause, an historic overview of the project by Dee Mixter, words from Dr. Edward Steinhardt, and prayers from Father Jim Carlson.

Dr. Steinhardt said, in his remarks, he walks daily in the garden to "refresh body, mind and soul." He invited others to spend time meditating and praying in the cemetery.

According to the text of Mixter's speech, in 1897, Father James Stapleton was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish and was responsible for the purchase of the land, which became Sacred Heart Cemetery, for $350.00 - "5 acres more or less." Burials began in 1898. The actual deed for the land was not recorded until the following year - due to the time it took mail to get from Huron County to Detroit diocese for Bishop Foley to sign and back to Huron County and be recorded.

In January of 2007, Sacred Heart Parish addressed a request for a columbarium for the remains of those who have been cremated.

Mixter also said Father Jim Carlson was very supportive of the project; and the Parish appreciates the work of the "folks at Bad Axe Marble" and "the Colfax cemetery crew."