SAGINAW — The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw has announced that it has signed a management services contract with Catholic Management Services (CMS), a nonprofit organization specializing in providing strategic business planning and professional services to revitalize cemetery operations. CMS, which is operated under the Diocese of Oakland and headquartered in Pleasanton, Calif., currently serves multiple dioceses in Michigan and across the country. As part of the agreement, CMS will provide an Executive Director of Cemeteries for the Diocese of Saginaw and utilize its team of experts in various disciplines to build a financially sound cemetery ministry.
"Our diocesan Catholic cemeteries have been struggling financially for at least a decade, as fewer families have chosen Catholic burial for their loved ones," said the Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw. "Partnering with CMS at this time will allow us to benefit from the experience and expertise the organization has gained in working with other dioceses. Together, we will continue to serve parishes and, most significantly, serve families in honoring our deceased loves ones."
CMS will hire an Executive Director of Cemeteries within the first 90 days and a budget and goals will be developed. The 10 diocesan cemetery staff will continue to be employees of the Diocese of Saginaw, while functionally reporting to CMS.
"CMS hopes to solidify the role of the Catholic Church in end-of-life decisions for the communities and families in the Diocese of Saginaw," said Robert Seelig, Chief Executive Officer of CMS. "By reaching out and educating, we are confident we will be able to evangelize by our actions with both regular church-goers as well as those who may have lost their connection along the way."
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.
"We have deep and abiding respect for our loved ones who rest in our diocesan cemeteries," Bishop Cistone said. "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."
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