- February 11, 2026
Construction is nearly complete on the new 6,000 square foot Mary's Peace Garden at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Ormond Beach.
Its main feature is a 170-foot-long and 16-foot-wide plaza that is located adjacent to the church on Nova Road. The plaza will feature a 6-foot marble statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary atop a 5-foot base bordered by monuments of the Stations of the Cross on each side, along with benches and light poles, all surrounded by extensive landscaping. The concrete paver-covered plaza area is in the shape of a cross. The project broke ground in August 2025.
The garden will be an enduring sanctuary of serenity in the heart of Ormond Beach, where all are welcome to encounter peace, pray, and reflect, in addition to providing an area for outdoor Marian events, parish services, and gatherings. The project is funded by a generous bequest from a parishioner, donations from many other parishioners, and support from the Vietnamese Catholic community at the parish.
Mary's Peace Garden will be dedicated on Sunday, March 15, at a Mass and ceremony officiated by Diocese of Orlando Bishop John Noonan, at which the parish will also celebrate its 60th anniversary and hold its Rite of Confirmation ceremony. The parish was officially decreed on March 4, 1966, and the original church was dedicated in 1969. The present church was completed in 1991, at which time the original church was converted into a parish hall.
The parish has approximately 1,800 registered member households. Rev. Justin K. Vakko is Parish Pastor, and he is assisted by Deacons Bruce Gesinski and Carlos Bom Conselho.
