MADISON — Damian Lenshek, who joined the Diocese of Madison in October as Manager of Special Projects, has been named Diocesan Director of Cemeteries.
Msgr. James Bartylla, diocesan administrator, and Eric Schiedermayer, director of the diocesan curia, announced that Damian Lenshek has been appointed Diocesan Director of Cemeteries, effective immediately.
Lenshek will take over diocesan cemeteries, while continuing to assist with a number of diocesan projects in the chancery.Lenshek replaces John Miller. “We are very grateful to John Miller for the yeomen’s work in cemeteries, as well as in Human Resources, even after his planned retirement date,” said the announcement.
“John will continue as HR Director, but hopefully this will take a load off his shoulders. Thank you, John Miller, and congratulations, Damian Lenshek.”
Lenshek brings more than a decade of organizational management experience to the role, as well as a theological perspective. “Our diocesan cemeteries witness to the Catholic belief in the resurrection of the body, a belief rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. All of our care for the comfort of the families we serve, and the beauty of the grounds, flows from this fundamental belief,” Lenshek said.
“I am grateful to serve the Diocese of Madison, which benefits so much from the legacy of Bishop Morlino’s teaching. He said, ‘Catholic cemeteries exist because of our belief in the resurrection of the body in some new shape or form at the end of time. If there were no promise of resurrection and eternal life, there would be no need for Catholic cemeteries. Canon Law designates two sacred places, a church and a cemetery. The Church, in Her wisdom, provides cemeteries to carry out the sacred religious ministry of the burial of the dead and to care for the resting places of the faithful departed.’ I am proud to serve this mission,” said Lenshek.
He added, “Both the sales staff and grounds crews have impressed me with their focus on serving families at a sorrowful moment in their lives. I think that devoting their professional lives to one of the Corporal Works of Mercy – burying the dead – rightly gives them a sense of fulfillment.”