HARTSDALE, NY - Just half a mile from the rush of traffic on Central Avenue at Four Corners in Hartsdale, the Sisters of Mercy Regional Community of New York have built a permanent outdoor labyrinth with the purpose of inviting visitors to seek inner peace.  The labyrinth and surrounding Prayer Garden will be blessed in a brief ceremony on Sunday, November 6, at 4:00 PM.

A labyrinth is a meditative tool, a singular pathway that winds toward the center, enabling the walker to center oneself in thought or prayer as a means of finding peace, answers to troubling questions, or communion with God.  Modern labyrinths are modeled on the ancient paths worn into cathedral floors during the Middle Ages by faithful Christians, who were metaphorically walking in the footsteps of Jesus.  Today, people from all walks of faith or no particular religious faith use the labyrinth's path as a tool to enhance spirituality and personal growth.

"The walk to the center of the labyrinth represents a journey toward inner peace, wholeness, healing and connectedness," explains Sister Suzanne Elliott, RSM, president of the Sisters of Mercy Regional Community of New York.  "Our Mercy community desires deeply to help others along their spiritual journey, to help increase peace in our world one person at a time.  We hope our labyrinth and prayer garden will facilitate this.  It is our gift to our friends, neighbors and supporters."

The seven-circuit labyrinth is 45 feet wide, featuring stone-dust pathways set with a polymer binder, which creates an all-weather, abrasion-resistant, hard surface.  The paths are separated by terra-cotta colored bricks, which link the labyrinth visually to adjoining brick pathways featuring inscribed bricks dedicated by friends and supporters of the Sisters.

The labyrinth and surrounding prayer garden were designed and installed by Timothy J. Kilgallon, president of CSI Landscaping of Scarsdale.  Mr. Kilgallon contracted with local landscape designer Gerrie Shapiro to shape the overall vision of the garden and help the Sisters reach their goal of balance and tranquility, essential to the spiritual experience of a labyrinth.  Kilgallon was delighted to take on the project because of the challenge it offered.  With 20 years' experience in landscape design, installation and maintenance in Westchester County, Kilgallon welcomed the opportunity to tackle this unusual project.

Following the blessing ceremony on November 6, the labyrinth will be open during daylight hours to visitors who wish to explore its calming and centering effects.  The labyrinth and prayer garden are located on property the Sisters of Mercy share with Marian Woods, a convent for retired Sisters from five religious communities, at 150 Ridge Road, inside Hart's Brook Park and Preserve in Hartsdale.

Visitors and others may make gifts in support of the labyrinth or dedicate bricks in the prayer garden by visiting www.newyorkmercy.org or calling Kristina Papa at 914-328-3200, extension 417.

Since 1846, members of the New York Regional Community of Sisters of Mercy have served the needs of poor, ill or uneducated individuals in New York City and its suburbs, the North Country of New York State and western Massachusetts.  Their ministries include education, healthcare, social services, counseling and pariah work.

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