Established in 2023, the Grateful Steward Legacy Society honors and recognizes those individuals and families who have named the Catholic Diocese of Wichita – including any parish, school, or supporting ministries – in their estate plans.

Estate giving, often called planned giving or legacy giving, is a way to make a lasting financial gift. A planned gift as part of an overall estate plan takes your needs as well as the needs of your loved ones into consideration, while also helping support the diocese – including your favorite parish, school, or ministry. Examples of estate gifts include bequests in a will/trust, retirement assets, life insurance policies, gift annuities, real estate, and appreciated securities, among others.

In addition to planned gifts being a grateful response to stewardship, the generosity received through estate giving leaves our parishes, schools and ministries stronger, more sustainable, and better equipped to meet the current and future needs of our mission. In sharing your gifts of treasure, you are affirming that stewardship remain as the foundational spirituality of our faith lives.

While not required, sharing your plans ahead of time allows the diocese to budget and forecast for future gifts that directly impact the long-term future of our parishes, schools and ministries. In addition, knowing of an estate gift in advance allows us work with you to ensure the intent of the gift is used as you wish, while also having the opportunity to express our appreciation and gratitude.

Of course, we understand the desire to have gifts be listed as anonymous. If you prefer your estate gift and membership in the Grateful Steward Legacy Society be anonymous, we will happily honor your request.

As a member, you and your family will be recognized by the diocese with a general monthly Mass intention offered by Most Reverend Carl A. Kemme D.D., Bishop of Wichita. Visit our events page for a full list of Mass intention dates. Additionally, all Grateful Steward Legacy Society members will be listed in online and printed publications by the diocese, unless the gift is requested to be anonymous. Members will also be invited to our annual Evening of Appreciation event with Bishop Kemme.

If your designated parish, school, or ministry already has a planned giving society in place, this will not replace any of those efforts. The hope is that with a diocesan-wide strategy for estate gifts, we are able to enhance and streamline the process for documenting, cultivating, stewarding, and ultimately receiving these types of extraordinary commitments.

No, as an extraordinary gift your planned gift is not subject to a 10% tithe to the diocese, and the entirety of the gift will benefit your parish.

The Lord’s Diner, Catholic Charities, Guadalupe Clinic, Guadalupe Health Foundation, Holy Family Special Needs Foundation, Priest Retirement & Education Fund, St. Katherine Drexel Catholic School Fund, Seminary burses, post-secondary scholarships, Spiritual Life Center, Catholic Care Center. If you have questions about whether your gift is included, please contact us.

Thank you! We appreciate your kindness and generosity in remembering the Church. If you are comfortable sharing your specific gift plans, and in order to verify what the diocese has recorded, please contact the Office of Development & Planned Giving here.

No, estate gifts of all sizes are welcome and appreciated!

If you are considering the diocese as part of your estate plans, we invite you to prayerfully consider joining the Grateful Steward Legacy Society. For any questions or additional information, please contact us.