Mark Garascia joined the Cathedral Team part time in March as Project Manager. He recently retired from Ford Motor Company after a 30 year career in Product Development. He will be overseeing Capital Expenditures and associated projects. He also will manage various projects for the Archdiocesan Cathedral Council (ACC) whose mission is to grow the Mother Church of Detroit into an Apostolic Center which provides engaging Arts, Culture, Education and Service opportunities. Projects include: Cathedral Apartment Project, Marian Grotto, Pilgrimage Destination, and Neighborhood Engagement.
Mark and his wife Julie have two adult children. They enjoy golfing together. His home parish is St. Anastasia in Troy, where he has been instrumental in Christian Service projects, including the founding of their involvement in the No One Dies Alone mission.
Chris Jaskowiec joined the Cathedral July 1 as Business Manager and Sacramental Coordinator. His experiences prior to joining the Cathedral staff are varied. He most recently was a process improvement manager for GM in its information technology arena. He has experience as a consultant and possess a MBA in Finance from the University of Detroit—Mercy and a BS in Computer Science from the University of Michigan. Chris has a love for the Lord and the Church which is contagious. Additionally, Chris is in the Permanent Diaconate program for the Archdiocese of Detroit and is studying at Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
Chris is a “West-sider,” and his home parish is St. Linus in Dearborn Heights, but reminds everyone that the Cathedral is everyone’s second parish. Chris enjoys entertaining and is an excellent cook and host. His specialties in the kitchen include Polish cuisine (pierogi, gołąbki, kapusta…), barbecue ribs, and pastries. If you wish to meet Chris personally, it is likely you will find him at the Cathedral at the 8 AM daily mass.
Dr. Horst Buchholz is joining the Cathedral and AOD as Director of Sacred Music beginning tomorrow. A native of Germany, Horst received his first musical training in a boys’ choir. After studies in organ, church music, and theory at the University of Arts in Berlin, he continued his studies in conducting at Indiana University where he earned the Doctor of Music degree.
Dr. Buchholz has been active as a performer, scholar, and educator. He has played recitals in cathedrals and concert halls around the world, and has conducted choral ensembles, symphony orchestras, and opera productions. For 10 years he was the Music Director of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra. Buchholz is also co-founder and Artistic Director of Pro-Arte Saint Louis, a professional vocal ensemble dedicated to Early Music.
Buchholz was the organist at Berlin’s Basilica of St. John’s and Director of Music at Denver’s Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. In Cleveland he served as Canon for Music and Worship at Trinity Cathedral where he also directed a busy concert series. He comes to Detroit after ten years as Director of Sacred Music at the Cathedral Basilica and Archdiocese of St. Louis.
Dr. Buchholz has taught at the University of Denver, Cleveland State University, Washington University of St. Louis, and seminaries in Denver and St. Louis. He also serves as Vice-President of the Church Music Association of America. He is married to Dr. Meeae Cecilia Nam, who serves on the voice faculty of Eastern Michigan University.