Catholic Management Services Hires Director of Cemeteries for Saginaw

SAGINAW — The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw has announced that Catholic Management Services (CMS) has hired Kimberly Gossman as its Director of Cemeteries. The diocese partnered with CMS last summer in an effort to revitalize its cemeteries. Gossman now oversees cemetery operations for the Diocese of Saginaw as well as the Diocese of Lansing.

As announced last summer, the Diocese of Saginaw signed a management services contract with CMS, a nonprofit organization specializing in providing strategic business planning and professional services to revitalize cemetery operations. CMS is headquartered in Pleasanton, Calif., and serves multiple dioceses in Michigan, in addition to Saginaw and Lansing and dioceses across the country. Gossman will utilize CMS' team of experts in various disciplines to build a financially sound cemetery ministry.

"We have deep and abiding respect for our loved ones who rest in our diocesan cemeteries," said the Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw, when the partnership with CMS was announced in June. "In partnering with CMS, we hope to not only solve the current financial problems, but, more importantly, to give greater attention to the physical appearance of our hallowed cemetery grounds and to educate the community about the sacred rituals of a Catholic funeral."

Gossman brings to the position a background in program development, management, customer service and community outreach, having served in various roles throughout her career. She has a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in communication and counseling, English and theatre from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant and is a certified Student Assistance Counselor.

Catholic Management Services was formed as a 501(c)3 nonprofit to serve the greater Catholic Church at the request of bishops and dioceses throughout the country to provide funeral and cemetery consulting and management services. CMS staff works in numerous dioceses supporting over 30 active cemeteries conducting 10,000 burial services annually as well as 10 funeral centers providing over 2,500 funeral and cremation services. CMS' unique "shared services" model has reinvigorated a vital ministry producing positive financial results when organizations are being challenged to sustain their operations.

The Diocese of Saginaw operates nine cemeteries including:

  • St. Patrick Cemetery
    805 Ridge Rd., Bay City
  • St. Stanislaus Cemetery
    2000 Columbus Ave., Bay City
  • Kawkawlin Calvary Cemetery
    2977 Old Kawkawlin Rd., Kawkawlin
  • St. Anne Cemetery
    1673 East Linwood Rd., Linwood
  • Midland Calvary Cemetery
    2743 East Bombay Rd., Midland
  • Old Calvary Cemetery (Midland)
    2314 Eastman Rd., Midland
  • Mount Olivet Cemetery
    3440 S. Washington Rd., Saginaw
  • Old Calvary Cemetery (Saginaw)
    3040 S. Washington Rd., Saginaw
  • St. Andrew Cemetery
    381 St. Andrew's Rd., Saginaw

For additional information on the diocesan cemeteries visit the website catholiccemeteriessaginaw.com. The link also is available on the diocesan website, Saginaw.org.