Kindness ‘rocks’ at St. Angela Merici

Above: St. Angela Merici fifth graders Keith Thompson and Katie Ortolano examine rocks in their school’s Kindness Rocks Garden. (Photo by Beth Donze)

By BETH DONZE
Clarion Herald

Nestled beneath a towering oak in front of St. Angela Merici’s gym, a dazzling garden invites passersby to stop and reflect on various messages painted on its little stones – words of wisdom such as “Storms don’t last forever,” “Forgive” and “The Lord is my rock.”

The vibrantly colored rocks, located within a serene greenspace dedicated to Mary, are the “flowers” that make up St. Angela’s Kindness Rocks Garden. It has been a beloved feature on the Metairie campus since 2019.

“Anyone is welcome to visit the garden and take a rock that inspires them and, if they wish, bring it to someone who may need a lift,” said Lynn Gettys Plaisance, who created the special garden after her retirement from 25 years of teaching third grade and art at St. Angela.

“Everyone is also encouraged to paint their own rock to add to our garden to help it grow,” Plaisance said, estimating that over 1,000 rocks have passed through the garden in its four years.

Toward the end of her teaching career, while searching for new and interesting art projects to engage her students, Plaisance discovered the Kindness Rocks Project launched by Cape Cod resident Megan Murphy.

“(Murphy’s) idea to paint inspirational messages on rocks and leave them for others to find spread quickly,” Plaisance said. “People around the country, and even overseas, started creating Kindness Rocks Gardens in their communities.”

With the support of Paige Bennett, St. Angela’s principal, and Father Beau Charbonnet, pastor, Plaisance reclaimed a trove of smooth river rocks from a defunct campus garden and organized painting parties with her fellow teachers and members of the parish’s “SALA” women’s club. Other early helpers included St. Angela’s Brownie troop and Lynn’s husband Clay, who laid out the garden and has assisted in its upkeep ever since.

“I’ll often use simple little flowers and insects to decorate the rocks. I like the idea of adding cheerful, colorful flowers to our garden,” she said, sharing some of her favorite rock messages: “Here I am, Lord,” “Blessed,” “Trust in God,” “You are not alone” and St. Therese of Lisieux’s motto of “Do small things with great love.” 

The garden, a peaceful spot in which all ages can pray individually, say the rosary together or simply encounter old and new friends, has seen the added impact of blurring the line between “parish” and “school.” For example, the garden is always the final stop on school tours, with Principal Bennett encouraging prospective families to select a rock as a keepsake.

“Children pick up rocks not just for themselves, but also to give as gifts to their parents and grandparents,” Plaisance said. “Pink rocks are the most popular, as well as those that are heart-shaped. Little girls still love pink! Little ones often actually get into the garden to play with the rocks and arrange them in different ways.”

Adult visitors are grateful for the uplifting sayings and the efforts involved in keeping the garden in full flower, said Plaisance, recalling a phone call from one parishioner.

“She complimented the rocks and explained how much she enjoyed them – she had taken several of the rocks home to put in her own prayer center,” Plaisance said. “It seemed that she was concerned, because others had questioned how many rocks she had taken. I assured her that she was more than welcome to take multiple rocks, whether they were for her, or to pass on to friends. I was thrilled to hear that she was enjoying them so much!”

To inspire rock-takers to return the favor – by contributing their own hand-painted stones – a few guidelines are posted onsite: the rock must be washed and air-dried; decorated with acrylic paint; sealed; and placed in the garden by the artist.

“Small brushes, and smooth river rocks work best,” Plaisance advised. “Acrylic paint markers work well for writing the sayings and adding little details.”

An alumna of St. Angela and Archbishop Chapelle, Plaisance lends her artistry to another parish ministry: painting scallop shells used to pour holy water on babies’ heads during baptisms. Each shell – designed as a memento to give to parents – is painted pearl-white with a gold border. Plaisance personalizes each with the baptismal date and the names of the child, parents, godparents and presiding priest or deacon.

“I have always loved art – it has been part of just about everything I do,” Plaisance said. “I love that our rock garden uses art to encourage kindness, inspire others, beautify the campus and promote community spirit. Spreading kindness by painting inspirational messages on rocks for a community garden is such a simple yet beautiful service project!”