The principle of Stewardship is frequently discussed in Catholic circles, both among the laity and Church leadership. Stewardship is based in scripture and in Church traditions. Stewardship flows from our gratitude to God for the gifts, with which we have been blessed. We show our gratitude by being generous in our response with our time, talent, and treasure.
We would like to encourage you to consider ways that you can leave a lasting legacy by making a planned gift to your parish or other Catholic Ministry.
You may be asking yourself what a planned gift is as it can be a confusing term and it is often misunderstood. Very simply, planned giving describes a donor’s commitment to transfer capital assets to a qualified religious organization or other charity. More often than not, a planned gift is made by means of a formal agreement or contract. Planned gifts are normally made from the donor’s accumulated wealth as part of an overall estate plan. The most common form of a planned gift is a bequest provision in a Will.
Many Catholics find the idea of making a planned gift to their parish appealing. Parishioners often wonder how to go about making a planned gift and they have other questions about planned giving options.
Faithful parishioners have found that naming the parish in their Wills or Trusts to be a very fulfilling way to show their appreciation for what the Church has meant to them. Some parishioners have left planned gifts in memory of a loved one or close friend. Others have made a bequest to support a particular parish ministry, or outreach.
Individuals who make planned gifts often enjoy significant tax advantages from their giving. Still others find that once their surviving family receives a reasonable inheritance, leaving a bequest to the parish is a fulfilling way to show their gratitude for God’s blessings and leave a spiritual legacy.
Please give thought to remembering your parish in your estate plan. It is a beautiful thing to do for future generations!
PLEASE CALL BARBARA KILARJIAN AT 516-678-5800 ext. 257 or email her at bkilarjian@drvc.org for more information.
