Denver Catholic

MEMORIAL DAY I 15 DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER I MAY 22, 2013 New York cemetery director to head Denver ministry BY NISSA LAPOINT One of Denver's larger cemeteries welcomed a new director this month. t many On May 13, Scott DrzewiecWithoutki, 41, started his position as giving,director of the Denver Archght thediocese's two cemeteries and mortuary. s from New York native Drzewiecur faithki will oversee the ministry of bs—yet,burying the dead and comd is call-forting their families at Mount peopleOlivet Cemetery and Mortuary robablyin Wheat Ridge and St. Simeon Cemetery in Aurora. de such "Scott comes with an exur lives.traordinary background and s to beI'm delighted he accepted this r retire-position," said David Holden, ing leftchief financial officer for the of ourDenver Archdiocese. "He will avoritebring a passion for serving the y wife,needs of the bereaved and solin ourid leadership skills." urs (i.e. Drzewiecki will succeed Miet one-chael Wright, 69, who will retire -fifth.) July 1 after 19 years as director. e of our "Mike has served admirably arge orover the 19 years he served as erationsexecutive director," Holden ortantlyadded. Not all Wright and his staff provided ted ourfuneral and burial services to simplemore than 37,000 over the past we are19 years to families, friends, o Christthe poor and the unborn. His e quesing we ct all of nd eterChurch here we investbound kend, I andpargacy of h I am a ir place Edward be good were. ached at ation. EO and ation of careful stewardship benefited business management from many archdiocesan ministries Eastern Kentucky University in including its two seminaries. Richmond, Ky. After college, he worked in the mortWright was honored gage banking indusin 2011 as the nationtry and then worked al Catholic Cemeterifor the financial an of the Year by the arm of the national Catholic Cemetery home builder Beazer Conference. Homes USA in NashThe cemetery and ville, Tenn. mortuary operations The financial crisis are an important forced him to considministry of the archSCOTT er a new career and diocese because of its DRZEWIECKI he considered the care for the deceased cemetery business. and their grieving "I was looking for something family and friends. It involves burying the dead, which is a a little more balanced and a corporal work of mercy, and little more career fulfilling," he comforting the grieving, a spir- said. He was hired as cemetery itual work of mercy. Drzewiecki said he finds director of the Diocese of Bufthe business fulfilling and an falo's St. Alberta Cemetery in opportunity to help families Lancaster, N.Y. For five years he oversaw the three cemeduring a time of great need. "I'm excited to come and teries spanning 100 acres just serve at the Archdiocese of outside Buffalo. "It turns out I love helping Denver," he said from New York. "For me personally, I like families during the bereavethe balance of working for a ment process," he said. Faith is central to the mindiocese. There's more balance between the ministry and istry, he said, which he apbusiness side in the cemetery proaches with his own Cathbusiness. It's more fulfilling for olic faith and a focus on the needs of a grieving family. me." "I have a customer-centric Although born in New York, Drzewiecki grew up in Ohio approach by identifying the and later earned a degree in needs of people when it comes MEMORIAL DAY MASS All are invited to the annual Mass at Mount Olivet Cemetery When: 11 a.m. May 27 Where: the outdoor chapel at the Gallagher Mausoleum, 12801 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge Celebrant: Msgr. Thomas Fryar, pastor of the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Bring: a blanket and umbrella Details: Call 303-424-7785 to the bereavement process," Drzewiecki said. He wants to ensure the cemetery meets the needs of families, who he sees as brothers and sisters in Christ. "You want to make sure you're doing all the right things to make them feel comfortable," he said. "When people come to the cemetery, I want them to feel like it is a beautiful place where they want to be for eternity." Drzewiecki's wife, Elizabeth, and two children will join him in Denver in late June. Nissa LaPoint: 303-715-3138; nissa.lapoint@archden.org; www. twitter.com/DCRegisterNissa Memorial Day Mass "Blest too are the sorrowing: they too shall be consoled." May 27th at 11:00 a.m. Gallagher Chapel at Mount Olivet Cemetery All are invited to attend. Please bring your lawn chairs. Mass will be celebrated by Reverend Monsignor Thomas Fryar, V.G., Moderator of the Curia Archdiocese of Denver Mortuary • Mount Olivet Cemetery • St. Simeon Cemetery 12801 West 44th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033 Cemetery: (303) 424-7785 • Mortuary: (303) 425-9511

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