Our maintenance staff have been very busy this year with summer projects. In addition to our usual in-depth cleaning, painting, stripping and waxing floors, we have undertaken a number of property repairs and improvements. No doubt you have noticed the work at the entrance to our church with replacing concrete pads, repairing the entranceway steps, necessary work to the retaining walls and handicap access ramp. Also, the brick surface for the Alpha-Omega garden were leveled and the paving bricks re-seated. Most of this work has been completed but there are still a few areas of sidewalk that need to be completed. We have also done some parking lot repairs to a drainage grate. In addition to all of that, there has also been a lot of work done in our cemetery. First, we are in the process of installing two inside banks of niches (for cremated remains) to meet the increased demand we have been experiencing. We are also creating a new in-ground niche garden (St. Anthony Garden) behind the last mausoleum and overlooking the golf course. This also is to address the increased demand for burial of cremated remains. We have also undertaken a number of various repairs of the brickwork, building fascia, retaining walls, curbing and general maintenance to the mausoleums. Lastly, we are unfortunately having to remove a large tree in the burial plot area in front of the mausoleums. It was such a stately tree but unfortunately, it cannot be saved. Once it is removed we will be planting a replacement tree, but that will take some time to reach the stature of the one we have to remove. I know it will be a disappointment to families that specifically chose that area for the burial of their loved ones and hopefully the replacement tree will, over the years, be as beautiful. One item that I had hoped to complete this summer was the paving of certain areas and drives on our property, but with the significant increase in the cost of these projects, I believe these will have to wait a bit longer. As you can see, there has been a lot of projects undertaken to keep our property in good shape and the funding for these projects primarily comes from the Upkeep Reserve Fund which, of course, comes from your regular donations. I am most grateful for your continued generosity and I hope you are pleased with what we are doing to keep our church and surrounding property looking good. Blessings, Msgr. Randy