Grateful Steward Legacy Society

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 ministry – in their estate plans.

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Stewardship – the grateful response of a Christian Disciple who recognizes and receives God’s gifts and shares these gifts in love of God and neighbor – is the foundation for the Diocese of Wichita.

For nearly 40 years, the Stewardship Way of Life has been lived out on a daily basis by parishioners throughout the diocese with gifts of time, talent, and treasure. The Grateful Steward Legacy Society serves as an opportunity for all parishioners to make extraordinary and lasting gifts to the diocese, while also inspiring others to consider their own legacy. 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. Examples of estate gifts include bequests in a will/trust, retirement assets, life insurance policies, gift annuities, real estate, and appreciated securities, among others.

If you have named your parish, school, or any ministry in the diocese as part of your plans, or are considering doing so, we invite you to become a member of the Grateful Steward Legacy Society. As a member, you and your family will be recognized by the diocese with:

  • General monthly Mass intention for Grateful Steward Legacy Society members offered by Bishop Kemme 
  • Grateful Steward Legacy Society listing in online and printed publications by the diocese, unless requested to be listed as anonymous

Already included the Diocese of Wichita in your estate plan?

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As part of our on-going commitment to live out the stewardship way of life, we hope the Grateful Steward Legacy Society inspires and invites those throughout the diocese to consider this extraordinary gift opportunity. Also, too, we hope it affirms that stewardship remain as the overarching and foundational spirituality of our faith lives.
The Most Reverend Carl A. Kemme

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Grateful Steward Legacy Society?

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.

What is estate giving? Is there a difference between estate giving and planned giving?

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.

How does a commitment to the Grateful Steward Legacy Society impact my responsibility to be a good steward?

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.

Why should I make my estate plans known to the diocese?

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.

Can my estate gift be anonymous?

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.

Are there benefits associated with membership in the Grateful Steward Legacy Society?

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.

My parish, school, or ministry already has a planned giving program/society, how will this be impacted by the establishment of the Grateful Steward Legacy Society?

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.

If my plans include a legacy gift benefitting my parish, is this subject to a tithe to the diocese?

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.

In addition to parishes and schools of the diocese, what other areas and ministries are included as part of the Grateful Steward Legacy Society?

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.

I have already included my parish, school, or a ministry of the diocese as part of my estate. Do I need to do anything?

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.

Is there a minimum gift amount needed in order to leave the diocese in my estate, or to be included as a Grateful Steward Legacy Society member?

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

I am interested in learning more about the Grateful Steward Legacy Society. Who do I need to contact?

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.

Contact Us

Connor Meier
Assistant Director of Development & Planned Giving

Catholic Diocese of Wichita
424 N. Broadway
Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: (316) 440-1755

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