An effective way to encourage greater stewardship in your parish is to regularly communicate the message to your parishioners. Here is a collection of articles that can be used in bulletins and newsletters to encourage planned gifts, greater envelope usage, a better understanding of the tithe and many other facets of stewardship and development.
Children's Stewardship
Do Your Children See You Give?
Every parent wants to raise children who share and give generously. When our children someday meet God face to face we want to know that they will hear Jesus say to them the same words the master said to those who used their talents wisely, “Well done, my good and faithful servant...Come, share your master’s joy.” (Matt 25:21)
However, raising a generous child is a challenge in a society that constantly teaches children to want more and more things for themselves. One of the key factors in teaching children to be generous is to let them see you giving. After all, children mimic what they see, not what they hear.
Today many donations to the parish Offertory may be made electronically, monthly, quarterly, or via mail. Thus, children may never actually see their parents give. A child who never sees a parent place an envelope in the Offertory could grow up thinking, “My parents never gave any support to the Church. Why should I?”
Therefore, it is important that parents talk with children about the charitable gifts the family makes. If you would like to increase your giving you might even ask your kids about ways the family budget could be adjusted so that there is more to share with God. Their suggestions might surprise you! More information for discussing God’s call to give can be found here.
Using an Allowance To Help Teach Stewardship
We all know that money can’t buy happiness. Wealthy people can be just as unhappy as poorer people. Rather, happiness comes from being content with what we have and feeling like we are making a difference in the world. We can put our children on the path to a happy and successful life by teaching them how to use and manage money so that it brings them contentment, fills their needs and allows them to help others.
Financial experts suggest that children should be taught to divide their allowance into three or four sections – to spend, to save, to invest and to donate. Spending covers basic needs and wants. Saving teaches patience and planning. Investing looks to the future. For children this might mean future educational needs. Donating gives kids satisfaction by allowing them to be a part of sometime important, like the Offertory.
Our Lord calls each of us to share what we have. He tells us, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much and even more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” (Luke 12:48) Children who learn to give away a portion of their financial blessings not only are following the Lord’s command but they also begin to discover that sharing part of their money can be very satisfying.
Christmas & Winter Giving
A Christmas Gift for Your Parish
In order to balance our parish budget every year we rely heavily on the generous gifts that come to us through the Christmas collection. We also rely heavily on the weekly Offertory gifts that are made 52 weeks out of the year. Both your Christmas gifts to our parish and your weekly Offertory gifts help us manage our operating budget through winter when heating bills are high and unexpected costs arise for snow and ice removal. For this reason, we ask you to please be as generous as possible with your Christmas gift to the parish. If possible, use both your weekly envelope and your Christmas envelope this Christmas. We need your support. Thank you for your generosity both throughout the year and at Christmas!
(Note to bulletin editor: Parishes may want to edit this announcement to indicate other ways that the Christmas collection might be used.)
What Do You Want for Christmas
“What do you want for Christmas?” This is a question we ask each other often before Christmas. Yet how many of us actually take a few minutes to kneel before the infant Jesus and ask Him what He wants from us this Christmas.
When we kneel before the manager and ask Jesus what He wants, it is very possible that we will hear Him whisper that He wants us to share a little more of our time with Him. Maybe each of us could make a New Year’s resolution to spend more time with God.
- Go to Mass more frequently.
- Find some time for prayer in the morning.
- End our day with spiritual reading.
- Say the rosary while we drive to work.
- Participate in Eucharistic Adoration
- Stop into church occasionally for a quiet visit.
The gift of time with God could be the very best gift we could give this year, not only to Jesus but also to ourselves. It might be just what our own hearts are truly longing for.
Giving Like the Magi
In 2010, Archbishop Robert Carlson asked Catholics throughout our Archdiocese to pray one simple prayer. “Lord, what do You want me to do with all the gifts You have given to me?”
In 2011, we were asked to pray, “Lord, how would You like me to become more fully involved in the life of Your Church.”
If you find it difficult to remember to begin each day with a simple stewardship prayer – asking God how He wants you to share the gifts He has given you – you might want to let one of the Magi be your reminder.
The Magi – or three wise men – traveled far distances and made great sacrifices to bring gifts to Jesus. This year, before you pack away your nativity set, select one of the wise men bearing his gift for Jesus and set this statue in a place that you will see every day – maybe on your desk, your dresser or your kitchen counter. When you see this gift bearer let it be a reminder to ask Jesus what gifts He would like you to give for Him each day throughout the year.
And if someone asks why you still have a Christmas decoration out, you can simply say that this little statue is reminding you to be more generous.
Winter Weather Woes
Editor’s Note: Use this article if severe winter weather impacts your budget and/or your Offertory. If you are using electronic Offertory, this is also a good time to remind parishioners how to sign up for electronic Offertory.
The recent winter weather provides a double challenge for our parish. When ice, snow, severe cold or winter illness prevents parishioners from attending weekend Masses our Offertory suffers. This has a direct impact on the funds we have available each week to pay our bills and meet our payroll. The problem becomes even more complicated when we are faced with increased heating, salt and snow removal bills.
Any extra help that you can give is greatly appreciated. If you do have to miss Mass for illness or weather, please know how very grateful we are when you drop your Offertory gift off later in the week or include it with your next week’s offering. This really helps us keep our budget balanced.
Electronic Giving
For Year-Round
Has This Ever Happened to You?
The ushers come forward to begin the Offertory collection process. You lean over and ask your spouse if she has the envelope? She replies that she left it on the table for you to put in your pocket. Ooops! No envelope to give this week! In the rush of getting off to church, we all forget the envelope once in a while. Check out an easier way to give. Go to (insert the directions to your parish website and online giving link.) It’s simple! It’s safe! And it keeps God at the top of your giving list!
Giving Greener
Are you trying to cut down on the paper you use? Is the check you write to our parish one of the few checks that you write anymore? You can give greener by using our Online Giving Program. Simply go to our parish website at (give parish web address and directions for accessing the online giving link.) You can set up the amount that you would like to give on a schedule that meets your needs and you never have to worry about writing another check, forgetting your envelope, or having cash in your wallet. Our parish greatly appreciates all those who choose to give in this manner as it helps us maintain a consistent cash flow and pay all of our bills in a timely manner.
Special Thanks to Our Electronic Givers
(Name of Parish) would like to thank the (insert number of families who are giving electronically) families who are currently giving electronically. You may not see these fellow parishioners place an envelope in the basket every week, but their consistent giving does not go unnoticed in our parish office. Each month our parish receives a steady and predictable stream of income from those donors who have made the commitment to give to God first by having a designated contribution automatically transferred to our parish through our Online Giving Program If you would like to learn more about this easy, safe and secure way of giving, please contact (insert name and phone number of office or volunteer contact) or check out our website at (insert the directions to your parish website and online giving link.)
What If Your Paycheck Didn’t Come Regularly?
Most of our parishioners are blessed with consistent and dependable paychecks. Yet, have you ever thought about how you would manage your bills and schedule your payments if you were never sure how much money you were going to have in your bank account. This is a problem that our parish faces every month. Weekly giving can fluctuate from (insert average high and low.) While we are most grateful for any gift that any parishioner can give at any time, to help us maintain a more consistent cash flow, we have established an online giving program. Those parishioners who are using the program tell us it is a great help to them, too. It allows them to clearly budget the amount that they want to give back to God and helps them feel assured that their parish is receiving their gift even when they are out-of-town, too busy to remember an envelope, or attending Mass at another parish. If you would like to learn more about this easy, safe and secure way of giving, please contact (insert name and phone number of office or volunteer contact) or check out our website at (insert the directions to your parish website and online giving link.)
A Word from Parishioner (Insert Name)
This is a bulletin article idea that you would have to write yourself, however, it could be very effective. Ask one of your committed electronic givers to write just a few sentences about why they have chosen to use electronic giving and what they like most about it. If you ask six parishioners to do this, you could run an article once every other month. End the article with standard information about getting started in electronic giving, such as: If you would like to learn more about this easy, safe and secure way of giving, please contact (insert name and phone number of office or volunteer contact) or check out our website at (insert the directions to your parish website and online giving link.)
For Winter Months
Winter Weather Worries
Winter weather is coming and that means ice and snow may make it difficult for some people to get to church. But parish bills keep growing during the winter, including increased heating costs and snow removal expenses. You can make sure your parish support doesn’t stop just when we need it the most. Check out our simple, safe and secure online giving program at (insert the directions to your parish website and online giving link.) Currently (fill in number) families are giving online. Please consider joining that growing number of dedicated givers! We are most grateful to all those who make every effort to give consistently whether electronically or through the weekly offering basket. It really helps us plan and meet our budget.
For Summer Months
Summertime
“Summertime and the living is easy.” That’s what the favorite old song says. The living may be easy, but often the giving is not. Summer collections often drop significantly in our parish because of vacation travel, sports schedules and other activities that cause parishioners to attend Mass in other parishes. If you would like to make your giving easy and consistent this summer, please consider our electronic giving option. Currently (insert number) parish families are using this simple and secure way to make and track their parish giving. If you would like to learn more, please contact (insert name and phone number of office or volunteer contact) or check out our website at (insert the directions to your parish website and online giving link.)
Are You Going On Vacation?
Many of our parish families are planning to get away for some summer fun and relaxation in the next few months. We pray for that your vacation time will be safe and a source of many happy memories. However, please don’t take your parish offering with you. Each summer our parish office struggles to juggle the bills as Sunday offerings decrease significantly. If you find that you tend to forget your envelope more often during the less structured weeks of summer, please consider our electronic giving program. Go to (insert the directions to your parish website and online giving link.) It’s simple! It’s safe! And it keeps God at the top of your giving list even when you are away!
For Christmas or Easter
Parish Website and Electronic Giving Help You Stay Connected
Christmas (or Easter) is a wonderful time for us. In addition to the very special meaning of the liturgical celebration, we are always happy to see so many parishioners whose schedules may not allow them to attend Mass at our parish on a regular basis. If you are one of those who cannot visit our parish as much as you like, you might want to check out our website at (give web address.) There you will find (list two or three features of your website such as the weekly bulletin, etc.) You will also find an Online Giving link. (Use the exact words for your online giving link.) Our online giving program allows parishioners to continue to support the parish even when they are out-of-town, too busy to remember an envelope, working weekends, or attending Mass at another parish. If you would like to learn more about this easy, safe and secure way of giving, please contact (insert name and phone number of office or volunteer contact) or follow the simple instructions found on the website.
Endowment & Memorial Gifts
Honoring Loved Ones through Endowment Gifts
Is it possible to honor a loved one by establishing an Endowment or Scholarship Fund or by giving to one that already exists? The answer is yes. Establishing an endowment or supporting an existing endowment is a wonderful way to provide a lasting and meaningful gift in remembrance of a special person and at the same time help others in need. Many people appreciate the opportunity to make a gift in honor of a special person, knowing that their donation honors the life of the deceased individual and also supports a purpose which the deceased held dear.
What should I do?
- Talk with (Insert Name of Pastor) as to which endowment at our parish would be the best for your circumstances.
- Contact the Office of Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal at 314.792.7680 for information on existing endowments that may serve your needs the most.
- If you would like to establish your own endowment or scholarship fund, please call the Office of Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal at 314.792.7680 for more details.
Gift Annuities
Enjoy A Guaranteed Payment Rate For Life!
Have you considered establishing a charitable gift annuity as a way to make a gift to your parish, school or favorite charity? Many people do not consider this option, but you might be surprised at how well this type of gift may fit your life.
By establishing a Charitiable Gift Annuity, you can help your parish, school or other charity while still receiving a benefit for yourself and/or your spouse for the remainder of your lives. Interest rates on CDs and other fixed-income investments have declined over the years. Individuals are in search of ways to maintain cash flow, seek the security of guaranteed payments, save on taxes, and most importantly, help the organizations that have meant so much to them throughout the course of their lives.
Charitable gift annuities are offered in four different categories:
- Single-Life Annuity – An annuity payment to only one person for his or her lifetime.
- Spousal Joint-Life Annuity – An annuity payment to married couples. (At the death of the first annuitant, the remaining spouse is paid the full annuity payment during his or her lifetime.)
- Two-Life Annuity – An annuity payment to one person and then transfers to the second person upon the death of the first person.
- Deferred Gift Annuity – An annuity payment that can be deferred to a future date. (Date must be at least one year after the original contribution.)
With the establishment of a charitable gift annuity you can choose to receive your payments quarterly, semi-annually or annually. If you are interested in finding out more about charitable gift annuities or other charitable ways to benefit your parish, school or favorite charity, you can contact the Office of Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal at 314.792.7680.
Did You Know...
Did you know that you can make a tax deductible donation to (insert name of parish), and receive a payment rate from that gift? Examples of the current guaranteed lifetime rates for Single-Life Annuitants are:
- 4.0% for age 55
- 4.7% for age 65
- 5.8% for age 75
- 7.8% for age 85
- 9.0% for age 90+
A gift annuity is a planning tool that allows you to donate an asset such as cash, property or stock to (insert name of parish) and receive a payment rate from that asset for as long as you live. Gift annuities are a good way to remember (insert name of parish) because they help your parish upon your death and offer you, the donor, many benefits:
- With a gift annuity you receive a stream of payments from the donated asset for the rest of your life, based on your current age.
- Under existing tax laws, a portion of the income from the gift annuity will be tax-free.
- You will receive a charitable tax deduction for the year that gift annuity was established.
- The remaining principal will be transferred to (insert name of parish) upon your death, ensuring that your benevolence and goodwill continues beyond your lifetime.
- Each gift annuity can include a written agreement that restricts the funds for a specific purpose or organization, ensuring that your gift cannot be used for any other purpose.
For more information and current rates, please contact (insert name of pastor) or the Office of Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal at 314.792.7680.
Understanding Gift Annuities
Did you know that you can make a tax-deductible donation to your parish, and receive a payment rate between 4.0% to 9.0% from that gift? A gift annuity is a planning tool that allows you to donate an asset such as cash, property or stock to a charity and receive a payment rate from that asset for as long as you live. Gift annuities are a desirable way to remember your parish because they offer you, the donor, numerous benefits:
- With a gift annuity you receive income payments from the donated asset for the rest of your life, based on your current age.
- The income payments that you receive are based upon the full market value of the donated asset, rather than the market value reduced by taxes.
- Under existing tax laws, a portion of the income from the gift annuity may be tax-free.
- In addition, you may receive a charitable tax deduction for the year that gift annuity was established.
- The remaining principal will be transferred upon your death to (Insert the name of your parish, school or agency), ensuring that your benevolence and goodwill continue beyond your lifetime.
- Each gift annuity has a written agreement that restricts the funds for the purpose you designate.
For more information on gift annuities or to receive a free proposal, please contact (Insert name of your pastor, principal or CEO) or the Office of Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal at 314.792.7680.
Please Note: Gift Annuity rates are subject to change. The Archdiocese of St. Louis uses rates approved and adopted by the American Council of Gift Annuities. To verify current rates, please click here.
Free Proposal!
Did you know that you can make a charitable gift that also benefits you in a practical way? A Charitable Gift Annuity is a donation you make to our parish, yet you will receive a payment for the rest of your life (between 4.0-9.0% currently!) Plus, you may receive a charitable tax deduction and reduced capital gains taxes. Ultimately your gift will support our parish, while supporting you during your lifetime. For a free confidential proposal, please call the Office of Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal at 314.792.7680.
Please Note: Gift Annuity rates are subject to change. The Archdiocese of St. Louis uses rates approved and adopted by the American Council of Gift Annuities. To verify current rates go to www.archstl.org/stewardship, click on "Planned Giving" and then on "Gift Annuities."
Better than CD’s
Low Money Market rates getting you down? CD’s are maturing but you are finding the interest rates too low? Consider the benefits of a Charitable Gift Annuity.
- Lifetime payments
- Charitable tax deduction
- Possible capital gains tax benefits
- Your gift ultimately will continue to support our parish’s mission even after your death
For a free confidential proposal, please call the Office of Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal at 314.792.7680.
Gifts of Insurance
Consider A Gift of A Life Insurance Policy
Insurance policies are often bought by individuals or couples with young children to help insure that, in the event of an untimely death of one or both parents, resources are available to help raise the children. Frequently, these policies have an investment element to them as well, which may be borrowed out of the policy for major expenses such as college tuition. Thankfully, in many cases, the insurance never becomes necessary for either of these purposes, which leaves many people trying to figure out what to do with policies that they no longer need. Why not consider a gift of such a policy to (insert name of parish)?
If an outright gift of such a policy (i.e., one in which you retain no rights in the policy) is made during your life, you may receive an income tax deduction (subject to certain limitations) equal to the lesser of your investment in the policy (total premiums paid) or its cash surrender value. You may even deduct (again subject to certain limitations) ongoing premiums you pay on the policy on behalf of our parish. Alternatively, you may just wish to name our parish as beneficiary at your death, which will be deductible for estate tax purposes (if applicable). This would allow you to retain the benefits of the policy during your life, but still benefit our parish at your death with funds that are no longer necessary for the care of your family.
For more information on giving a policy to (insert name of parish) please contact (insert name and phone of parish contact) or call the Office of Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal at 314.792.7680.
Have You “Insured” Your Parish?
Did you know that there are different ways you can use a life insurance policy to make a very special planned gift to our parish?
- You can name our parish as the full or partial beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy which is no longer important to the financial stability of your family. This can be an easy way to support your parish and make good use of a life insurance policy that has “outlived” its original purpose. For example, insurance policies that were originally purchased to cover a mortgage or provide for a spouse or dependent children may no longer be needed for that purpose and could now be designated to help your parish and continue your support of the parish beyond your lifetime.
- You can purchase a new insurance policy in which the parish is irrevocably name as the beneficiary. Again this extends your generosity to your parish beyond your lifetime and the premium payments may qualify for a charitable income tax deduction.
For more information on remembering your parish with the gift of a life insurance policy talk to your financial planner, attorney or insurance representative. Insuring your generosity to the parish is an outstanding gesture of faithful stewardship.
Gift of Stock
Consider a Stock or Security Donation to Your Parish
Direct gifts of stocks, mutual funds and other assets are simple for parishioners to make and can be very beneficial gifts for both the parish and the parishioner. Parishioners can designate a stock donation as an immediate gift OR use the donation to establish a life-benefit gift such as a Charitable Gift Annuity or a Remainder Trust.
Donating appreciated securities to your parish can produce a tax-advantaged charitable deduction for the parishioner. Most securities donated to parishes are either common stocks or mutual funds.
The Archdiocesan Finance Office handles all stock and security donations for Archdiocesan parishes. In most cases the parishioner instructs his or her financial adviser or broker to transfer the desired shares of stock to the Archdiocesan brokerage account and designates the parish as the beneficiary of the gift. The Archdiocese will provide the parishioner or the parishioner’s financial advisor with the relevant information concerning its brokerage account. Upon receipt of the stock, the Archdiocese will credit the gift to the account of the parish. For more information about donating stock or securities to your parish please contact the Archdiocesan Finance Office, Securities Department at 314.792.7123 or visit our online donation pages here.
Greater Envelope Usage
Did You Remember Your Gift?
It is only natural when you are invited to a party – whether it is birthday, anniversary, homecoming or any other celebration – to think about the gift that you will bring. Even when the invitation says, “No gifts, please,” most of us still show up with a bottle of wine or a box of candy or some other token of our affection. We bring gifts to show our gratitude for being invited and to show our love for the one being honored and celebrated. So, when God Himself invites you to the greatest celebration of all – the celebration of the Eucharist – do you bring a gift? Do you take time to wrap it in an envelope? Do you select a gift that truly reflects your gratitude for being invited to be a part of God’s family? Do you bring a gift that shows your love for the crucified Jesus, who we remember at every Mass? The invitation to the Mass does not say “No gifts, please.” In fact, since God first called the Israelites to be His people He taught them, “No one shall appear before the Lord empty-handed, but each of you with as much as he can give, in proportion to the blessings which the Lord, your God has bestowed on you.” - Deuteronomy 16:16-17 Did you remember your gift?
Why Does Our Parish Need Your Gift?
None of us likes to give a gift that is not needed. That is why we spend so many hours shopping for just the perfect gift. So it is understandable that you might question, “Does the parish need my gift? Does my weekly financial contribution make a difference?” Here are some of the ways your gift is needed and does make a difference. (Parishes should add to and adjust this list to meet their situation.) Your contributions to (Name of Parish) help:
- Pay staff salaries so that the ordained clergy have more time to visit the sick and comfort those who truly need to feel Jesus in their lives at this time.
- Support our school so that we can make it affordable for families to give their children a Catholic education.
- Pay the utility bills that keep the lights on and the rooms warm (or cool) for all those who gather here for prayer, education or social ministry. Last month those utility bills amounted to (give $ amount.)
- Purchase the many supplies that are needed for our liturgies and sacraments, including hosts, wine, candles, prayer books and hymnals.
- Landscape our grounds, remove snow and maintain our facilities, so that we always present a welcoming image to all who may pass by this House of God.
Summer Envelopes
We sincerely thank our parishioners who mail or deliver your weekly envelopes to the parish office while you are out-of-town on vacations this summer. As many of you understand, our parish expenses and obligations do not take a vacation when you do, so it is very helpful to be able to rely on your continued support even when you cannot personally attend Mass here.
Did You Wrap Your Gift?
Would you give a gift to a friend and not wrap it? Would you take a present to a party and not put your name on it? Please treat your weekly gift to God with the care and respect you would any gift that you give. Wrap it in an envelope and put your name on it. It will make you feel so much better about that gift. Try it some Sunday and see if it doesn’t make you feel a little prouder of your gift. If you need parish envelopes please call the rectory office at (phone number).
Memorial Gifts
Editor’s Note: Use this article to encourage both Mass offerings and larger memorial gifts. Be sure to adapt it to the policies and practices in your parish. If your parish has created a memorial envelope or gift card, be sure to include the last paragraph of this article.
Did you know there are two ways to remember your deceased loved ones throughout the year? Many people like to have a Mass offered to remember a deceased loved one on that person’s birthday, anniversary of death or other special day. The offering for such a Mass is $(insert expected offering) and you simply need to contact the parish office at (insert parish phone number) to schedule the Mass.
A more significant way to remember a deceased loved one is through a memorial contribution. Like Mass offerings, memorial contributions can be made for any special occasion. They are also a great idea at the time of death. You simply need to state in the obituary, “Memorial contributions to (insert parish name) appreciated.” The benefits of a memorial contribution include:
- The gift may be as large or as small as a donor wants it to be.
- While Mass offerings can only be used to cover the actual cost of the Mass, memorial contributions can be used for any of the many operating needs of the parish including scholarship assistance for school children, maintenance and upgrading of our facilities or support of our many ministries.
- For large memorial gifts the parish can work with the donor(s) to determine a way to use the gift that would be most appropriate to the interests and preferences of the individual who is being memorialized through the gift.
If you would like to offer friends and family the opportunity to make memorial gifts to our parish when they visit the funeral home for a deceased loved one, simply contact our parish office for a supply of memorial gift envelopes.
“Masses Preferred” Is Not a Gift to the Parish
Many Catholics may not understand that saying “Masses Preferred” in an obituary is not the same as asking for a memorial gift to the parish. When donations are made for Masses, the gift actually goes to the priest saying the Mass. If a parish cannot say all the Masses that its parishioners request, the stipends must be forwarded to retired or mission priests. While this is an admirable practice, parishioners should be fully informed of the difference when they are planning their own will or memorial gifts.
Parish Registration
Are You Registered?
Did you know that demographic studies estimate that more than 1/3 of all Catholics are not registered in a parish? If you are not registered in our parish, please consider doing so. Also, please encourage your friends and family to register!
Registering is important because:
- If a parish doesn’t know who is out there, how can it adequately serve the needs of all – especially singles, divorced or young families who may not see the need to register?
- When the services of the Church are needed - such as for a wedding, Baptism or funeral - it is easier if the person is registered.
- Registered parishioners receive helpful information about our parish including (list here the welcome and communication services that you provide.)
Registering is easy. Simply find the parish nearest you, and contact their parish office today!
Planned Giving
Stewardship Through Estate Planning
None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord,
and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. - Romans 14: 7-8
As the New Year begins, consider one of the greatest acts of stewardship an individual can make by establishing an estate plan. Everyone should have an estate plan comprising of either a will or a trust. A will is a legal document that allows you to control how your assets are distributed after your lifetime. Without a will, the probate court will decide who acquires your assets upon your death. Typically, the court will divide your assets between your surviving spouse and children, or your blood relatives. The court will not provide for any charitable intentions you may have.
A trust allows you to control how your assets are distributed both during and after your lifetime. Establishing a trust requires that you transfer ownership or title of your assets to the name of your trust. Since the trust owns the assets, there is nothing for the courts to control when you die. This is beneficial since, unlike a will, you avoid all the costs, delays and publicity of the probate process. However, depending on its complexity, a trust can be more expensive to create than a will.
Most importantly, an estate plan allows you to determine how and to whom the gifts God has bestowed on you will be distributed when you can no longer serve as your own steward.
For detailed questions on wills or trusts, contact an estate planning attorney. If you are planning on giving to a charity, please consider (Insert Name of Parish, School or Agency) as part of your estate plan. You may contact the Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal Office’s Planned Giving Department at 314.792.7680 for additional gift giving opportunities to benefit (Insert name of Parish, School or Agency).
Gift Ideas
When considering a charitable gift to (insert parish, school, agency name) remember some of these gift options:
- A gift of securities.
- A Charitable Gift Annuity in which you receive a payment based on your age with the residual to (insert organization’s name).
- A gift of a life insurance policy.
- An estate gift through your Will and/or Trust.
- A year-end gift of cash.
Please contact (insert pastor’s name or agency director’s name and phone number) to learn more details.
Please Consider (Name of Parish or Endowment) in Your Estate Plan
When considering gifts to a charity in your Will or Trust please remember (Name of Parish, Endowment or School). Gifts can be made to the parish in the following manner through your Will or Trust:
- A specific dollar amount.
- A percentage of your estate.
- A particular asset such as real estate or other valuables.
You may also name the parish as a beneficiary of a retirement plan.
For more information or if you should have any questions on how to title the Parish in your Will or Trust please contact (Name of parish contact and phone) or the Office of Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal.
Have You Considered Your Parish In Your Estate Plan?
Retirement Plan Bequests Can Save Taxes for Heirs
If you wish to make a charitable bequest at death, you may want to consider designating [Insert name of parish, school or agency] as the beneficiary of your retirement plan (IRA, 401(k), profit sharing plan, etc.). Generally, income tax is payable on a distribution to a beneficiary from the retirement plan. If a charity is named as the beneficiary, however, the income tax is avoided on the distribution from the retirement plan following one’s death, and the parish, school or agency and your heirs retain a greater percentage of your estate than if the retirement plan benefits were given to your heirs. For further information on how to include your parish in your estate plan, please refer to the “Giving Opportunities” page.
[NOTE: You may wish to give your own parish web address, assuming it has a link to the Planned Giving Website of the Archdiocese.]
Planned Gifts for Our Parish
Did you know a planned gift or tax-wise gift to our parish:
- May be deductible from your income tax.
- Can assist in minimizing estate taxes.
- Can generate a payment stream for life.
- Can provide you with the satisfaction of knowing that your gift will have an impact on our parish.
- And, most importantly, is a further demonstration of your faithful generosity and good stewardship.
Please consider our parish through:
- Your Will or Trust.
- Retirement Assets
- Life Insurance Policies.
- A Life Income Gift which will provide you with payments for life and ultimately will benefit our parish.
For more information on planned gifts go to our planned giving page here.
Prayers for Greater Stewardship
Stewardship Prayer of St. Ignatius Loyola
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my entire will – all that I have and call my own.
You have given it all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace. That is enough for me.
Irish Prayer of Gratitude
You’ve blessed me with friends, and laughter, and fun.
With rain that’s as soft as the light of the sun.
You’ve blessed me with stars to brighten each night.
You’ve given me help to know wrong from right.
You’ve given me so much. Please, Lord, give me too,a heart that is always grateful to you.
Stewardship Pledging
The story is told of a wise pastor who went to get a hair cut. The barber, who also happened to be a parishioner, took the opportunity to tell the pastor all the reasons why the barber was not going to complete his stewardship pledge card.
“I don’t think we should have to promise to give money to God. We should give what our heart tells us at the time. I like to be able to just put in the collection whatever I have that week.”
The pastor listened carefully and after his haircut he handed the barber $1 for the $10 haircut, saying, “I like to give what my heart tells me – just whatever I have in my pocket at the time.”
“Father,” the barber protested, “I can’t pay my rent, take care of my expenses and run my business successfully if everyone would do that.”
“Neither can God,” the pastor replied.
Tax Time
Tax Return Tells You How Generous You Really Are
Before you file your tax return away for the year, you might want to take a minute to determine what percentage you are giving away. Jesus told us, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” (Luke 12:48)
Your tax return tells you not only how much income God has entrusted to you last year, but also what portion you gave away. Simply take your total charitable contribution and divide by your total gross income. Move the decimal point over two places. This is the percentage you gave away last year. Are you pleased with that number? If not, make plans now to improve your giving in 2007.
Example: Total income is $42,653. Charitable contributions are $1,250. $1,250 divided by $42,653 equals .0293. Move the decimal and see that the percent that was given to charity was 2.9%.
A Tax Time Test
Now that you have figured out for Uncle Sam how much you made this year and how many charitable contributions you gave, it might be a good time to figure out just how faithful and generous you really are. Throughout Sacred Scripture God has called us to “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse…” (Malachi 3:10) The Catholic Church traditionally recognizes the tithe as 10% of your income – 5% to your parish and 5% to other charities. So how close are you to returning 10% of your treasure to God? It’s easy to calculate. Divide your total charitable contributions for last year by your gross income for last year. Move the decimal point over two places and that is your percent of giving. So if your answer is .0346, you are returning 3.5% of your income to God. If you are not happy with the number, we encourage you to plan ways to increase your giving.
Tax Refunds & Tithing
Are you receiving a tax refund this year? Have you considered giving a percentage of it back to your parish? Even if you are not yet able to give a full 5% or 10% tithe to your parish on a regular basis many Catholics find that tithing on unexpected income – a tax refund, winnings at the Casino, or an inheritance – is a great first step to experiencing the joy and contentment that come when we really do give as God has asked us to give. Try it yourself and feel the joy.
Volunteering
Our Volunteers Are Valuable
We have always known that the many parishioners who volunteer to serve in our various parish organizations and ministries are most valuable. Now we have confirmation. Based on the average hourly wage, experts currently estimate that one hour of volunteer time is worth $17.55. However, to us your volunteer time is invaluable. Through the gifts of time and talent that our parishioners so generously share we are able to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ here in (insert the name of your community.) Many thanks to all those faithful and generous stewards who volunteer in our parish! Your time is worth everything to us!
A Thought from St. Teresa of Avila
“Christ has no body now
on earth, but yours;
no hands but yours;
no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which
He is to go about doing good;
yours are the hands
with which He is
to bless people now.”
Will or Bequest Gifts
Please Consider (Name of Parish or Endowment) in Your Estate Plan
When considering gifts to a charity in your Will or Trust please remember (Name of Parish, Endowment or School). Gifts can be made to the parish in the following manner through your Will or Trust:
- A specific dollar amount.
- A percentage of your estate.
- A particular asset such as real estate or other valuables.
You may also name the parish as a beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy.
For more information or if you should have any questions on how to title the Parish in your Will or Trust please contact (Name of parish contact and phone) or the Office of Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal.
Establishing an Estate Plan
Everyone should have an estate plan comprising of either a will or a trust. A will is a legal document that allows you to control how your assets are distributed after your lifetime. Without a will, the probate court will decide who gets your assets upon your death. Typically, the court will split your assets between your surviving spouse and children, or your blood relatives. A trust allows you to control how your assets are distributed both during and after your lifetime. Establishing a trust requires that you transfer ownership or title of your assets to the name of your trust. Since the trust owns the assets, there is nothing for the courts to control when you die. This is beneficial since, unlike a will, you avoid all the costs, delays and publicity of the probate process. However, depending on its complexity, a trust can be more expensive to create than a will.
For detailed questions on wills or trusts, contact an estate-planning attorney. If you are planning on giving to a charity, please consider (Insert Name of Parish) as part of your estate plan. For more information, you may contact the Office of Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal's Planned Giving Department at 314.792.7680 or (Insert Name of Pastor or Development Director if applicable) at (insert parish phone number).
Do You Know the Importance of Estate Planning Documents?
Everyone should have an estate plan. If a person has not documented his wishes, the state will dictate how and to whom that person’s assets are distributed. The state does not provide for any charitable intent in its distribution scheme.
Here are questions to promote your thinking about preparing estate planning documents:
- Have you provided appropriately for your spouse and children?
- Have you remembered your favorite charities in your estate plan?
- Do you know what implications property ownership has on who inherits your assets at death?
- Do you realize the effects of your beneficiary designations on insurance policies and retirement plans?
- How much will you or your heirs pay in taxes upon your death?
- Do you want some of your assets that would go to pay taxes to instead pass to charity?
- Will probate complicate the lives of your family?
- Who will manage your money or make end of life decisions if you are incapacitated?
Have You Considered Your Parish?
There once was a man, who, as he grew older, became more and more upset about the reality that when he died he would have to leave behind everything for which he had worked. Every night he prayed to God to please let him take something that he had acquired into heaven with him. Finally, one night the Lord appeared to the man and told him that since he had been so persistent in his prayers that God would leave a note with St. Peter giving this man permission to bring one suitcase into heaven.
The next morning the man immediately began the process of turning all his assets into gold bars, which he stored in a suitcase under his bed.
Shortly after, when the man died, he appeared before St. Peter dragging his suitcase full of gold bars. Peter checked his records and then asked the man to open the suitcase so St. Peter could check to see what the man was bringing through the Pearly Gates. When the man opened the suitcase, St. Peter just shook his head in wonder. “You beg God for permission to bring something to heaven with you and then you bring PAVING STONES?!!”
Leaving A Legacy
A young man was surprised to find his sick and elderly grandfather planting a small peach tree in his backyard. When the young man asked his grandfather why he was planting the tree, the old man replied, “Son, all my life I have eaten the fruit from trees that other people have planted. I figure I have an obligation to make sure there is some fruit around for others to enjoy.”
Four Ways to Leave A Legacy
Did you know there are four easy ways for you to remember your parish in your will?
- A Specific Bequest – You can designate a certain amount of cash or specific assets to the parish.
- A Residual Bequest – You can plan for the parish to receive all or a portion of your estate after other specific bequests have been distributed.
- A Percentage Bequest – You can designate a certain percentage of the estate to go to the parish.
- A Contingent Bequest – You can make the parish the recipient of a bequest if others named in your will are not living at the time of your death.
No matter how you decide to remember your parish, a gift from your will accomplishes several key benefits.
- It sends a strong message to your heirs that the Church played an important role in your life.
- It guarantees that your generosity to the Church will be continued even after you are gone.
- It provides important assistance to our parish.
- It may even provide tax benefits for your heirs.
Talk to your lawyer or financial counselor today about the best way for you to remember your parish in your will.
Year-End Giving
Use this article in your bulletin around Thanksgiving for end-of-the-year gifts.
Giving Thanks!
Now is the season we give thanks to God for all He has done for us this past year and throughout our lives. It is also a good time to begin considering how we might give back some of our wealth or assets to Him through His Church with a special year-end gift of cash or appreciated assets such as shares of stock. You can designate such a gift to (Insert name of endowment fund or school) or simply to (Insert name of parish's) general operating fund. Please contact (Insert name, phone number and email of appropriate contact person.)
Consider Making a Year-End Gift to (insert Name of Parish, School or Agency)
As the end of the year approaches, we begin to reflect upon the many blessings bestowed upon us. The end of the year also provides a great opportunity to thank God for these blessings by gifting to (insert Name of Parish, School or Agency). The benefits of income tax deductions, capital gains savings and other financial benefits are significant advantages that provide an incentive to make a gift at the year-end. A gift can also help support (insert Name of Parish, School or Agency) for years to come.
There are many different ways of contributing a gift. However, two of the easiest and most direct methods to gift are donations of cash and appreciated stock or other investments. You can also make other financially advantageous gifts such as real estate, life insurance, charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities, will/trust bequests and IRA/retirement accounts.
For more information on how you can help make a difference by contributing a year-end gift to (insert Name of Parish, School or Agency), please contact (insert pastor or administrator’s name and phone number) or the Office of Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal's Planned Giving Department at 314.792.7680.
Note to bulletin editor: Use this bulletin article from late October thru December.