“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children…”

– Proverbs 13:22 (RSV)

As Catholics we believe that God’s Kingdom is already among us, growing wherever faith, hope, and love are lived. Yet we also know that our time here on earth is temporary and we look forward to the promise of eternal life with God.

Remembering the Church in your will is a lasting expression of the call to work for the Kingdom. It is a commitment to future generations, helping ensure that they too may come to know God through the Church. A gift in your will enables your treasures to continue serving Christ’s mission, caring for His people, and growing God’s Kingdom in our communities. Every gift, regardless of size, helps strengthen this mission and supports your local parish and diocese.

Supporting your local parish

Leaving a will or bequest can support your local church in many ways. This includes:

  • Supporting formation for children and young people (Catholic education, sacramental programmes, youth ministry, etc.)
  • Providing pastoral care to the sick, elderly and those who can’t attend Mass
  • Helping families and others in need, both spiritually and materially (ministry costs, food and clothing parcels, etc.)
  • Providing resources for volunteers and ministry leaders
  • Funding programmes for adults (faith, leadership and ministry formation, etc.)
  • Funding resources for liturgy (music and audio/visual resources, church and liturgical supplies, etc.)
  • Developing and maintaining parish buildings and sacred spaces.

You can specify in your will or bequest what you would particularly like your gift to address. Alternatively, you can leave it to your parish leaders to decide how best to use your gift.

Supporting our Archdiocese

Dioceses exist to support and coordinate mission and ministry at the coalface, i.e. in our parishes. Leaving a gift to the Archdiocese in your will enables the provision of:

  • Church Mission – pastoral ministry support – marriage, family, and youth ministries / ecology, justice and peace / sacramental and migrant ministries / lay and leadership formation opportunities. Find out more here.
  • Presbyteral Ministry – seminarian formation / clergy support and development / arriving clergy induction and support. Find out more here.
  • Catholic Education – support and development of Catholic primary and secondary schools / special character and RE curriculum formation and support. Find out more here.
  • Catholic Social Services – helping those in need in our communities / social work advocacy, support and short-term interventions / Seasons for Growth (grief) and Game On! (men’s) programmes / refugee home preparation / prison and hospital chaplaincy / clergy healthcare coordination. Find out more here.
  • Cathedral Ministry – support for the ongoing maintenance and use of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.

Catholic Foundation – standing with the Archbishop and the Archdiocese of Wellington

The Catholic Foundation, established by Cardinal Tom Williams, has for nearly half a century been a pillar of support for the Archbishop and the Archdiocese of Wellington. With $11 million distributed and a $14 million fund, the Foundation has truly made a difference.

But the work isn’t finished. Your bequest or membership isn’t just a donation; it’s an opportunity to join a lasting family, as the principal remains invested while the income generated funds good works. This ensures your generosity endures in perpetuity, helping to secure the future of our faith.

To learn more, visit catholicfoundation.org.nz, or contact Foundation secretary Kathy Whelan on 021 666 405.

Next steps: making a bequest (a gift in your will)

Including a gift in your will (making a bequest) is a big decision and warrants prayerful discernment and reflection.

We encourage you to take this to prayer and to speak with your loved ones about how you would like to support both them and your Church in your will. You can also speak with someone from your parish as well as your lawyer(s) and financial advisor(s).

The Archdiocese can arrange a complimentary solicitor’s appointment if you would like to add a bequest to your will.

Call 04 496 5187 for more information.