By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer
“Your generosity is not only a legacy – it’s also a concrete example of what your faith has meant to you,” said Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert to members of the Legacy Society June 23 at the organization’s annual brunch at St. Thomas More, Allentown.
The brunch honored an estimated 50 members and welcomed 17 new members to the society that seeks to support the Church through a planned gift of any size – through direct bequests, charitable gift annuities, trust arrangements, gifts of real estate, life insurance or retirement plan proceeds.
Members were also invited to participate in Mass before the luncheon. Principal celebrant was Bishop Schlert.
New members welcomed in to the society were: Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Daday,
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Flemming, Mr. and Mrs. Steven Gable, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Junikiewicz, Frances Konopelski, Barbara McGlinn, Dr. and Mrs. Vincent Moffitt, Mary Muir, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Naso, David Parslar, and Charles Witham.
Bishop Schlert expressed gratitude to members for their vision in providing parishes, ministries and schools with financial help to secure their future.
“I couldn’t be more grateful,” he said. “Your steadfastness to the faith and generosity toward others is greatly appreciated.”
Paul Acampora, secretary of the Diocesan Secretariat for Stewardship and Development, also extended his gratitude and recalled members of the society that entered eternal life over the course of the year.
“We weren’t aware in advance of some of their gifts. Many keep their gifts private. The Diocese even received an unexpected $1 million gift from a person,” he said.
“These people and people like you don’t make contributions to the Diocese to be recognized. You commitment makes it possible to share and live the Gospels. Thank you for your faithful generosity.”
The society was formed in 2007 by then Bishop of Allentown Edward Cullen to recognize individuals who have included a parish, school, diocesan agency or the Diocese itself in their estate plan.
Today there are nearly 300 members of the Legacy Society. This year’s new members received a certificate and pin.
