In an intimate garden on the grounds of Our Lady of Joy Roman Catholic Church in Carefree, Arizona, stands a sacred memorial dedicated to unborn children. It is a place of quiet prayer, remembrance, and healing.
“Whether they have lost a child or not, all are welcome to spend time with Jesus in this peaceful, holy garden,” says Kathy Heisler, who co-leads the church’s Sanctity of Life Ministry alongside Nick Gaudio.
Kathy helped establish a memorial for the unborn in Scottsdale several years ago. When she began praying about where another might belong, she felt strongly that Our Lady of Joy was the right place. Shortly after, Fr. Jess shared in a meeting that he had been thinking the same thing. With the support of Fr. Jess and Laura Hicks and help from the Sanctity of Life Ministry and the church staff, the Memorial Garden was completed.
On Sunday, November 2, 2025, following the 11 a.m. Mass, parishioners gathered in a procession, where Fr. Jess, assisted by Deacon Handel, formally blessed and dedicated the garden. Sanctity of Life Ministry members were present to provide information on memorial plaques and to invite families to participate in honoring lives lost too soon.
The Church’s Call to Defend Life
From the beginning, the Catholic Church has proclaimed the sacred dignity of every human life. Scripture reminds us,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” — Jeremiah 1:5
For Our Lady of Joy, the Memorial Garden is more than a physical space. It is a public witness to their pro-life values and this truth, that every child, born or unborn, is known and loved by God.
“All life is created by God and is sacred,” says Kathy. “The baby in the womb is the most vulnerable and should be protected by all.”
The garden allows the Church to speak that truth not only with words, but with reverence, prayer, and remembrance.
Why This Garden Inspires Our Mission
At Save the Storks, we are deeply inspired by the Memorial Garden at Our Lady of Joy. It reflects the heart of our mission, to create a story of hope and empowerment for every woman facing an unplanned pregnancy.
Through our partner program with pregnancy resource centers and our mobile medical clinics, we meet women with ultrasounds, compassionate care, and holistic support so they never have to face an unplanned pregnancy alone.
This garden stands as a reminder of why our work matters. Every child is precious, and every mother deserves to be met with dignity, care, and love.
Dedicating a Memorial Plaque to the Unborn
For many families, the Memorial Garden offers something they were never given: a place to grieve, remember, and honor a life that was lost too soon. For children who never had a funeral, a grave, or a marker, a memorial plaque becomes a sacred way to say, every preborn life matters.
“Every Catholic church should make it a priority to speak clearly about the sacredness of every human life, especially the lives of these precious little children,” Kathy shares.
Anyone may dedicate a plaque in the Memorial Garden, whether you are a parent, grandparent, sibling, or simply someone who wants to honor the life of a child who was lost. To date, 22 plaques have already been placed on the memorial wall. Each plaque is prayerfully blessed by clergy before being installed.
If you feel led to honor a child in this sacred space, you are invited to dedicate a memorial plaque at Our Lady of Joy. For more information or to place an order, please visit the Our Lady of Joy Parish Office at 36811 N. Pima Rd., Carefree, AZ 85377, or contact Kathy Heisler of the Sanctity of Life Ministry at 602-418-7858.
“We have spoken to many families who have placed plaques here,” Kathy says. “They tell us how meaningful it is to come to this peaceful place and pray, knowing their baby is in Jesus’ loving arms and will never be forgotten.”
January is Sanctity of Life Month
January is recognized as Sanctity of Life Month, a time to reflect on the precious value of every human life, from the moment of conception. Sanctity of Life Sunday, January 18th, is a day when churches come together to celebrate life, support pregnancy centers, and stand for the dignity of every child.
If your church feels led to give during this season, supporting Save the Storks helps ensure women in your community receive ultrasounds, compassionate care, and the support they need to choose life.
