Aug. 27, 2014

By Scott Lalone
Executive Director, Development Office

August is National Make-A-Will Month. If writing a will has been in the back of your mind but you keep putting it off, now is the time to take care of this important step in life planning.

Do not let state laws determine who will inherit your property/assets.

And if you have been thinking of leaving a legacy, you may want to consider designating a portion of your assets to pass at death to the Diocese of Ogdensburg, your parish or school, a diocesan program/ministry, the Bishop’s Fund Appeal or to the Missionary Projects of the Diocese of Ogdensburg.

Over the years many individuals have remembered the Diocese of Ogdensburg, its parishes or the above mentioned charities in their estate planning, especially in their wills.

In 2008, the Memorare Legacy Society was established to honor and recognize the generosity and vision of those who have chosen to leave a legacy to the Diocese of Ogdensburg through estate or deferred gifts.  

One qualifies for membership in the society by designating a portion of his or her assets to pass at death to the any of the above mentioned organizations. 

This may be accomplished by a simple statement that you have remembered the Church in your will or similar document such as a trust, life insurance policy, charitable gift annuity, designation of an IRA or 401(k) or any other more complex transactions. 

Members of this society are those who have informed the diocese of a planned gift that, in the future, will benefit the Diocese of Ogdensburg or any of its parishes or programs.  This ensures a continuous commitment of care to their Church, to the Church’s vision and to the charitable works that flow from her missions through their thoughtful planned gift.

Members’ names will not be made public unless they specifically give their consent to do so.

Current members of the Memorare Legacy Society are: Msgr. Joseph Aubin of Plattsburgh, Therese Bruyere of Ogdensburg, Father Douglas Comstock of Alexandria Bay, Marguerite Giroux-Eckman of Waddington, Elizabeth Kelly of Plattsburgh, Judith Kelly of Lady Lake, Florida; Father Gilbert Menard of Plattsburgh, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Pearson of Watertown, Msgr. Leeward Poissant of Keeseville, Deacon and Mrs. William Frances Raven of Black River, Deacon Bernard Slate of Clayton, Kathleen St. Denis of Plattsburgh, Father Bryan Stitt of Malone, Father Richard Sturtz of Schroon Lake, Joseph Tebo of Ogdensburg and Father Arthur LaBaff of Clayton,  as well as several who prefer their intentions to remain anonymous.

A membership form for the Memorare Legacy Society is below.