Life-size statue of Pope John Paul II enhances mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery

Catholic Cemeteries has enhanced the interior of the Prince of Peace Mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery, 83rd and Quivira Road, Lenexa, Kan., with the addition of a life-size statue of the late Pope John Paul II. The six-foot tall statue stands on a ledge at the second floor level and overlooks the chapel area of the mausoleum.

Directly below the statue, Catholic Cemeteries has added 37 glass front cremation niches. Twenty of these niches can accommodate two urns; 16 are singles; and one deluxe size will feature a statue of the pieta (Mary holding and mourning the body of her dead son). The pieta will be an urn that will be able to hold two urns inside of it.

Robert W. Chenoweth, executive director, said that the enhancements are part of Catholic Cemeteries’ commitment to perpetual care and beautification of its facilities. The additional cremation niches are in response to the growing demand for this type of entombment.

“What’s amazing,” Chenoweth said, “is that we took what was a blank white wall from floor to ceiling, first floor to second floor, and have literally transformed the space. The statue, the doves on the wall above it and the cremation niches below it complete the room.”

The white statue of the beloved Pope, who died in 2005, stands in contrast to a background painted a rich shade of brown. BLP Bronze International, of Toronto, Canada, crafted the detailed statue. The statue is made of Kosmolux through a process that combines marble dust with a cement-like, adhesive mixture and pours it into a mold. BLP also designed the Infant of Prague bronze statue for the outdoor memorial at Resurrection Cemetery.

Prince of Peace is the newest mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery (opened in 1994). It adjoins the Queen of Peace Mausoleum. Catholic Cemeteries has announced plans to build the new Holy Family Mausoleum, at the Lenexa site to the east of the two existing facilities.

Catholic Cemeteries manages and maintains seven cemeteries in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties. For more information about pre-arrangements or burial options, call 913-371-4040, email information@catholiccemeterieskc.org.