The Catholic Cemetery Conference (CCC), an international Roman Catholic faith network of cemeterians and suppliers, has elected Msgr. William Baver treasurer of its Board of Directors, effective Oct. 14.
The election was held during the 67th Annual CCC Convention and Exposition in Orlando, Florida.
Msgr. Baver has served as director of cemeteries for the Diocese of Allentown since 1993, the year he joined CCC. He had been assistant director of diocesan cemeteries, starting in 1988. He also serves as pastor of SS. Simon and Jude, Bethlehem.
Ordained at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown in 1981, he attended St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia 1973-77, receiving a bachelor of arts degree (with honors) in philosophy.
He attended Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton 1977-81, earning master of divinity and master of theology degrees.
Msgr. Baver is an Eagle Scout with Bronze Palm. He received the Bishop’s Award and St. George Emblem for his ministry in Catholic Scouting, as well as the 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus, both in 1984. He was chaplain to the National Board of Catholic War Veterans and became a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in 1998 and a Knight Commander of the Order in 2001. He is chair of their Nomination Committee.
He wrote the Cemetery Chart of Accounts in 1991 and created the Cemetery Administration Manual in 1997 for use in the 124 parish cemeteries.
Msgr. Baver has served as CCC director-at-large for the Eastern United States and Eastern Canada multiple times, as secretary and now as treasurer. He is a member of the CCC Education Committee and chair of the CCCE Certification Committee, and continues to speak at the Smaller Cemetery Seminar.
He received the Certified Catholic Cemetery Executive (CCCE) designation in 2006.
He had enjoyed being a master scuba diver and former assistant instructor from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). In his free time he plays lead trumpet in the Lehigh Valley Pops Orchestra, Liberty High School Alumni Band and harmony trumpet in the Elm Street Jazz Big Band.
CCC, a membership association of cemeterians and related suppliers, helps Catholic cemetery staff enhance their skills in caring for the deceased and comforting their loved ones through ministry, education, networking and service opportunities.
Founded in 1949, the CCC membership includes cemeterians from 140 dioceses in 45 states; plus 10 dioceses in Canada and Australia. These members include smaller, individual parish cemeteries, as well as large multi-cemetery diocesan operations.
The conference is located at 1400 S. Wolf Road, Building 3, Hillside, IL 60162; phone 708-202-1242; website, www.catholiccemeteryconference.org.
