ATLANTA—David R. “Dave” Spotanski started work at the Chancery on Monday, Aug. 26, as the director of stewardship for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. In his new role, his office will encourage and support the stewardship of time, talent and treasure for Catholics in north and middle Georgia, as well as assisting parishes, agencies and ministries in their fund development efforts.

Spotanski comes to Atlanta from Utica, N.Y., where he had served since 2012 as the director of mission and customer services at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. From 2006-2012, he was the chancellor of administration and pastoral services for the Diocese of Belleville, Ill., a role in which he was responsible for stewardship and communications. From 1986-1994, he served the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Mo., as director of the Secretariat for Administration and the Council of the Laity.

Spotanski earned his bachelor of science degree in technical journalism from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. He and his wife, Sharon, have three adult children.

Despite being road-weary from his drive from upstate New York, Spotanski answered a few questions about himself and his role in the Atlanta Archdiocese.

Tell us about yourself in seven words or less.

“Grateful son, blessed husband, and proud father.” And yes, I realize my seven words are essentially an epitaph, but it sums me up….

Of your hobbies, what’s your favorite?

I like to play the piano. If I played well, I’d love it.

You’ve worked in various positions in the Catholic community since 1986, starting with the Archdiocese of St. Louis and then the Diocese of Belleville. What do you enjoy about working for the church?

Every day I get to use just about all of the gifts and talents God gave me for the good of his Church, and every day I’m surrounded by ridiculously good people of faith doing exactly the same. Because there’s so much at stake, this work can be challenging and stressful, but from the day I walked into the chancery in the Archdiocese of St. Louis 27 years ago I knew I was where I belonged. I felt that way in my home diocese of Belleville and, after being in the Archdiocese of Atlanta for only a short time, I already feel it here. What a great place!

What will be your duties at the Archdiocese of Atlanta?

Promoting a comprehensive theology of stewardship as a way of life in all its forms—prayer, service and sharing. Stewardship is one of the simplest concepts in the Church to explain, yet it can be among the most challenging to seamlessly integrate into our personal and parish lives. But it’s worth it.

What’s something about yourself that would surprise people?

I once received Holy Communion in the press box at the old Yankee Stadium. I’ve been honored to assist with media relations for the pastoral visits of Pope John Paul II to St. Louis in 1999 and Pope Benedict XVI to Washington and New York in 2008.

For Pope Benedict’s historic Mass at Yankee Stadium on April 20, 2008, I was assigned to chaperone reporters and photographers who wanted to leave the secured area and move about the stadium. One of the priests assisting the Holy Father was sent to the press box to distribute Communion to the Catholic media, security personnel and staff. I’ll never forget that.

One more: My son, Jon, and I have been to baseball games in all 30 major league cities. It took 15 seasons to accomplish, but we wrapped up the tour at Rogers Centre in Toronto in July of this year.