Leaving a legacy of faith

“In thanks for the gift of faith …
a gift for the future of faith.”

Think about it… The Catholic Church has been present at most of the important milestones in your life: your Baptism, your First Communion,  at times of great celebration and  at times of great sadness. The work of the many ministries of the Catholic Church are far-reaching, life-giving and  life-saving … every day.

By leaving a gift to your church in your Will, you will leave a legacy of faith – a legacy to help ensure that the mission and pastoral outreach that has been important to you  will continue both for today’s needs and for those of our children, our grandchildren and beyond.

 

Leaving a gift in your will

Some helpful facts

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A gift in your Will is called a bequest. A bequest can be a gift of property or cash. For example: a specific amount of money, a particular belonging such as jewellery, property that you own, your entire estate or a part of your estate that remains after you have provided for your loved ones … Every gift is greatly appreciated because it is a cherished part of your life journey.

How your legacy will help

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  • Enable your parish to continue to plan for, provide, and build a welcoming Catholic community
  • Provide formation and support for ministries – including catechists –so children will continue to come to know and love Jesus Christ
  • Contribute to the cost of repairs, maintenance and revitalisation of significant buildings such as your parish church
  • Build much needed church facilities in newly established parishes
  • Support the provision of life-giving welfare programs
  • Assist with the promotion and formation of candidates for ordained ministry and lay parish leadership
  • Provide Catholic school scholarships for students experiencing significant hardship
  • Produce faith-based media programs
  • Facilitate faith-based youth engagement opportunities
  • Support welcome programs for newly settled refugees
  • Provide for the ongoing formation of our clergy
  • Support our sick and retired clergy

For your final wishes to be honoured

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  • You must have a valid Will. For this reason, it is advisable you arrange to have a Will drawn up by a solicitor.
  • It is recommended that you inform your family that a gift to the Church is important to you, and that you advise any executors and guardians of your wishes.

Please inform us

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We ask that you inform us of your intended gift and your preferred acknowledgement.

Appropriate wording

It is important the correct clauses and terminology are used in your Will. Please see below for suggested appropriate wording:

Your parish

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“I give to the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Wollongong, as trustee for the Catholic Parish of (state Parish name and suburb), in the State of New South Wales (ABN 25175058859) for its general purposes, the sum of $_____ or _____ percent of my estate or the property at _____ (or other specific items), free of all duties, taxes and other deductions of whatever kind. I declare that the receipt of the Parish Priest, or other designated officer, of the Catholic Parish of (state Parish name and suburb) shall be sufficient discharge to my Executors and Trustees.”

Catholic Diocese of Wollongong

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“I give to the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Wollongong in the State of New South Wales (ABN 25175058859) for its general purposes, the sum of $_____ or _____ percent of my estate or the property at _____ (or other specific items), free of all duties, taxes and other deductions of whatever kind. I declare that the receipt of the Diocesan Financial Administrator, or other designated officer, of The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Wollongong shall be sufficient discharge to my Executors and Trustees.”

Special Religious Education Fund

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“I give to the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Wollongong in the State of New South Wales (ABN 25175058859) for the general purpose of the SRE Fund, being for religious instruction by Catechists in government schools, the sum of $_____ or _____ percent of my estate or the property at _____ (or other specific items), free of all duties, taxes and other deductions of whatever kind. I declare that the receipt of the Diocesan Financial Administrator, or other designated officer, of The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Wollongong shall be sufficient discharge to my Executors and Trustees.”

Sick and retired clergy

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“I give to the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Wollongong in the State of New South Wales (ABN 25175058859) for the care of sick and retired clergy, the sum of $_____ or _____ percent of my estate or the property at _____ (or other specific items), free of all duties, taxes and other deductions of whatever kind. I declare that the receipt of the Diocesan Financial Administrator, or other designated officer, of The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Wollongong shall be sufficient discharge to my Executors and Trustees.”

CatholicCare Wollongong

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I give devise and bequeath to the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Wollongong, as trustee for Catholic Family Welfare Services, trading as CatholicCare Wollongong (ABN 96760398961)

  1. the sum of $ …………….. OR
  2. the residue of my Estate after payment of my debts and taxes OR
  3. the property at …………….. OR
  4. …………….. percent of my Estate OR
  5. Shares (OR other specific items)

for its general purposes* (or) for (state the purpose or program you are supporting)*  and I declare that the receipt of the Director or other designated officer of CatholicCare shall be sufficient discharge to my Executors and Trustees.

(* delete one, as appropriate)

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong

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“I give to the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Wollongong in the State of New South Wales (ABN 25175058859) for the general purpose of Catholic Education, the sum of $……OR ……. percent of my estate OR the property at …… (OR other specific items), free of all duties, taxes and other deductions of whatever kind.

I declare that the receipt of the Diocesan Financial Administrator, or other designated officer, of The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Wollongong shall be sufficient discharge to my Executors and Trustees.”

For more information about leaving a gift in your Will, or to enquire about a memorial gift, please contact the diocesan representative 02 4222 2446.