Dear Parishioners,

Perhaps you have noticed some landscape differences around our IHM church grounds, especially at the Portage Trail side of the church as opposed to the parking lot “back” side of the church.

This past week I asked our landscaper, Mr. Chuck Ingersoll,

“How can IHM save some money in the next few years on our landscaping costs?”

With this question IHM was being pro-active with cutting expenses. The labor and materials costs for bush trimming (twice a year) and mulch spreading onto the garden beds can be quite exorbitant!

Therefore, the decision was made to remove the bushes (beautiful and aged “fire bushes”) on both sides of the church and plant grass. In addition, the walkway-mulched bed by the sidewalk was also reduced in size and grass is planted there as well.

While I enjoy landscaping, and planting gardens, currently it is best to NOT do anything of the sort around the church building. Down the road, our IHM church building will need to be re-roofed, and tuck pointed. Getting to these areas, without the garden beds filled with shrubs, will be easier.

Likewise, reducing the mulched bed by the sidewalk also helps us financially in no longer expending “mulch costs” for this area.

I have always been guided to continually look at our expenses and then to look again to see if we have competitive vendors where IHM gets the “best for its buck”.

IHM is most grateful to Dennis Smith, Bill Andrea, and Jeff Andrea, on our staff, who help me in this regard!

Many blessings,

Father Jim