The "Highlight" children's magazine typically had a page where children (or adults) were challenged to find hidden objects in a picture.  Sometimes the objects seemed obvious and sometimes they were difficult to find.  I would like to challenge you to "picture" the narthex (the gathering area before you enter the main body of the church) and find the following:  The altar server's and the clergy's sacristies, the pictures of Pope Francis and Bishop Taylor, the art work of Father Nelson Rubio of the Blessed Mother holding the child Jesus, and the Memorial Tree.  While I hope you scored 100%, I have to wonder if there were many of you who immediately knew where our Memorial Tree is located.  If you are coming out of the church into the narthex, it is to the right of the entrance to the hallway that leads to our classrooms.  I must admit that I sometimes forget to offer to those who have lost loved ones in the parish, the opportunity to have a leaf prepared and put on the tree with their loved one's name on it.  When I do remember, I tell them that we ask a minimum of $50 for a leaf in memory of their loved one.  The money goes into our "Memorial Fund" which is used to buy liturgical items for our church to enhance our worship experience in church. 

Since I have missed more than a few people during funeral preparations, I want everyone who reads this to know that you can get a leaf added to the tree in memory of your loved one by touching base with Linda in the church office, letting her know what you want on the leaf (in writing), and giving her your donation to the Memorial Fund.  I encourage you to look at the tree sometime, and see what wording others have used.  I will promise to try and remember to pray for those whose names are on the tree at least once a week at one of our Masses.  As a side note, we have talked about getting signage in the narthex to identify the Memorial Tree and to mark entrances to such things as the Upper and Lower Hall stairs.  I have been surprised that some parishioners who have been in the parish awhile have asked me: "How do I get to the Upper Hall?"  I hope we take care of that with signage in the future.