The house that is now the Newman Center was built in 1896 as a family home for a local doctor. Later, one of the residents who had a relationship with missionaries in the Far East was sent seedlings of ginkgo trees which were planted along the path leading up to the house. These trees, now 100 years old, have greeted visitors to this place ever since. Each fall, their fan-shaped leaves turn from rich green to a golden yellow and give a cheerful glow to our campus. They are a beautiful sight for all our visitors, especially those who come for Masses on Sunday. Remember to thank God for their beauty.
On the flip side of that, the trees drop grape-sized berries that quickly begin to decompose and release a pungent odor that is close to bad butter. The trade off for the beautiful leaves hardly seems worth it. However, even as smelly as we might consider them, each year a local Asian family comes to collect these berries for their seasonal cooking. There are treasures even where we wouldn't want to look!
During this Fall, as our leaves go into dormition and the trees go bare, do remember that life is a cycle, and that our lives too will end. However, even with that "grim" thought, there is hope for eternal life, just like we celebrate at Easter in the Spring. Come on over and enjoy the view for now.
Just remember to wipe your shoes!
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