Legacy of Our Faith
Since joining the staff this past fall, Major Gifts Officer Deacon Christopher Kabat has applied his decades of experience in finance and deep devotion to Our Lady to play a special role in advancing the mission of the Shrine. With his expertise, Deacon Kabat has been able to expand the Shrine’s planned giving society and assist our benefactors achieve the legacy they most desire through education on the different components of planned giving. The first tool to be sure you have in place is your will. To help with this process, the Shrine has now partnered with My Catholic Will to offer will-writing services to our pilgrims at no cost.
My Catholic Will
My Catholic Will, the only online Catholic will-writing tool available, provides simple and effective tools to ensure the legacy of our Faith is passed on to future generations. They have partnered with many Catholic nonprofits, including the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Through our own customized donation page, friends of the Shrine can write their will in as little as fifteen minutes using a simple form. Additionally, we are pleased to inform you that the tool is free for users that choose to use the Shrine’s code, “GUADALUPE,” for a total savings of $79.95.
The Benefits
Writing a will has many significant benefits. First, a will establishes directions that greatly help one’s family after one’s passing. It indicates what should be done with property, provides guardians for children, and assigns an executor to carry out these instructions. In the difficult time following the passing of a loved one, having a will relieves family members of the burden of trying to make many decisions.
In addition, one has the opportunity through their will to leave a gift to a charity of one’s choosing. With this, the will goes beyond planning for one’s property, and even one’s family, and becomes a means of creating a legacy of faith and generosity. In the words of Deacon Kabat:
Not only are you writing a will that has implications for the future of your family, but when you layer on the faith aspect and are able to assess what is really important to you that you wish to continue on after your passing, then it takes on a whole new meaning. It is not just a legal document any longer, it is truly a plan that will allow you to play out the most important aspects of your life.
For more information or to write your own will, please visit MyCatholicWill.com/Guadalupe. Furthermore, if the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been a source of grace in your life, please consider including in your will a bequest to the Shrine. Doing so continues our ministry of serving the spiritual needs of our pilgrims, and helps them to encounter Our Blessed Mother, who draws them closer to her Divine Son.
Questions?
Contact:
Deacon Chris Kabat
ckabat@guadalupeshrine.org
608-796-1304
