National Make a Will Month invites wise stewards to leave their legacies

August is National Make a Will Month, a helpful reminder to reflect on how we can be good stewards of the gifts God has given us – not only during our earthly lives, but even after we are gone.

Although a will is an important part of that conversation, it is only one of many ways Catholics can continue supporting the Church’s mission through thoughtful estate planning. Whether it’s a bequest in a will, naming a charitable beneficiary on a retirement account, or setting up a trust, planned gifts offer a meaningful way to provide for loved ones and support the ministries closest to your heart.

In the Diocese of Wichita, these types of legacy gifts continue to make a lasting impact. A planned gift can benefit any of our 90 parishes, support one of our 38 Catholic schools, or help sustain ministries that serve the poor, strengthen families, and form future priests. And because planned gifts are often made from assets rather than income, they can be a way for faithful Catholics to make a larger gift than what otherwise may be feasible during their lifetimes.

“Planned giving is an expression of extraordinary stewardship in its fullest sense,” said Connor Meier, assistant director of development and planned giving for the diocese. “It’s about recognizing that our blessings are meant to be shared, and that a legacy gift is one way to give thanks to God while witnessing to others.”

To recognize those who make that sort of lasting commitment, the diocese established the Grateful Steward Legacy Society. Individuals and families who have included a parish, school, ministry, or diocesan entity in their estate plans are eligible for membership. It’s a small way of saying thank you – and of honoring those who choose to leave a legacy of faith.

If you have named your parish, school, or any ministry in the diocese as part of your plans, or are considering doing so, the Diocese of Wichita invites you to become a member of the Grateful Steward Legacy Society. And if you haven’t yet started planning, this month is a good time to begin that conversation.

To learn more about the Grateful Steward Legacy Society or how to make a planned gift that reflects your Catholic values, please visit CatholicDioceseOfWichita.org/Give. For more information, please contact Connor Meier at 316-440-1755 or [email protected].