BACK TO NEWS & EVENTS HOME

Feature article
Robert W. Chenoweth
913-371-4040

May, 2008

Memorials draw special attention
to Catholic cemeteries

In its continuing efforts to enhance its cemeteries, Catholic Cemeteries of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, Kansas, has either added or significantly upgraded memorial monuments.

Most recently, on Memorial Day 2008, the cemetery association dedicated a new Veterans Memorial at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kan. Earlier on May 1, the traditional feast of Ascension Thursday, a new mosaic memorial of the Ascension was blessed at Resurrection.

“These memorials provide the opportunity to display outward signs of our faith and special remembrances,” said Robert W. Chenoweth, executive director of Catholic Cemeteries. “Their beauty and symbolism attract people to the cemeteries.”

The vibrantly colored mosaic of Christ’s Ascension replaced the former painted image in an outdoor memorial. The original Ascension Memorial dated to the early 1960s. Stonework surrounding the gray granite memorial was tuck-pointed, new cap stones installed, trees trimmed back, and the area in front of the memorial cleared for viewing the mosaic.

Chenoweth said Alexander Studio of Los Angeles, Calif., designed the mosaic. Johnson Granite Supply, North Kansas City, Mo., furnished the black granite upon which the 3 x 5 ft. mosaic is mounted.

Other memorials or statuary enhancements at the cemeteries in recent years have included:

• Outdoor monument to the Infant of Prague in remembrance of children who have died.
• Outdoor mosaic memorial to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
• Life-size statue of Pope John Paul II at the balcony level in one of the mausoleums, overlooking the chapel below.
• Life-size outdoor statues of the four Evangelists in section for deceased archbishops and priests.
• Outdoor monument to victims of abortion, sponsored by a Knights of Columbus chapter.