GIFT of TIME Charity, patience and tenderness are very beautiful gifts. If you have them, you want to share them with others. - Pope Francis ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT GIFT of TIME Caritas Australia The Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development Dorothy is a long-time supporter of Caritas Australia. Inspired by her faith and passion for social justice, Dorothy speaks about why she has decided to place Caritas in her Will. I first learned about Caritas when I was a child at school and vividly recall collecting coins for the Project Compassion Box. Giving to Caritas Australia has made me a much Photo: Sudan, Caritas Internationalis happier person. I feel empowered, knowing that we’re doing something for the most marginalised. The sense of concern that I sometimes feel thinking “Giving to Caritas about the poverty and suffering in the world today, has been taken away by knowing where my money is going Australia has made me a and that it’s going to a good cause. The last time I get to speak to people most important in much happier person” my life will be through my Will. I have great faith in Caritas Australia’s ability to end poverty and uphold people’s dignity. Caritas doesn’t tell its partners what to do but walks alongside them. There are so many charities out there, but I know that with Caritas, I’m giving in the right way, to a place that has good governance, a good development approach and spends minimally on administration. I can recommend Caritas wholeheartedly. 2 The Catholic Weekly GIFT of TIME 2020-2021 Leaving a Legacy of Love. Your guide to gifts in Wills Photo: Caritas Fiji Naming Caritas Australia as a beneficiary of We would be privileged to partner with you your estate allows us to help more families and share your values with the world’s most whose lives have been devastated by marginalised, so that they may live a life COVID-19, natural disaster and conflict to worthy of their dignity. become self-sufficient. We value the trust you have placed in Caritas The beauty of the Caritas network is, Australia and thank you for considering a gift through the worldwide outreach of the in your Will. Catholic Church, we are able to bring together local knowledge at the grassroots level with To leave an enduring legacy of love, contact the combined expertise and resources of a our Gifts in Wills Specialist on 1800 024 413 global network to amplify the voices of those or email [email protected] . You can find the wording for your Will at who suffer in our own country and throughout www.caritas.org.au or request a brochure. the world. GIFT of TIME 2020-2021 The Catholic Weekly 3 GIFT of TIME WHEN SHOULD WE WRITE A WILL? What is a Will? A will is a legal document that records your intentions concerning the distribution of your wealth, property or assets, amongst your loved ones following your departure. Having a will, prepared by your lawyer, is especially important to avoid any disputes amongst your family and friends, during such a difficult time. When should we write a Will? Consider either preparing or updating your will, especially on key milestones in your life, including when you get married, have children, or secure new properties and assets. The death of loved ones might also be a reason to review and update your will Seeking Legal Advice to ensure it remains relevant and clear, Your will is an important legal document and especially to the remaining beneficiaries. it is best completed by a legal professional. If you don’t have a will it’s time to get your While most wills can be straightforward, affairs in order. others are complicated and require specific Here are some more examples of when legal skills to make sure your intentions you should consider implementing or are clear. This can address problems when updating your will. your will is used to organise your final arrangements and to distribute your estate. • change of Executor/s Your solicitor can keep your will in safe • changes to your marital status custody and give you copies. It’s always a • changes to your financial situation such good idea to discuss the contents of your will as a significant increase or decrease in with family members or close friends so that your assets they understand what you have decided to do • loss of your spouse and it’s an opportunity for you to answer any • birth of children and grandchildren questions that they may have. • changes in circumstances with people named in your will • inclusion or updating charities • change in personal details The Law Society of NSW can be contacted if you need to find • medical conditions of you or your dependents a local solicitor with expertise in preparing Wills and Estate • purchase of a new family home Planning - www.lawsociety.com.au or phone (02) 9926 0156. 4 The Catholic Weekly GIFT of TIME 2020-2021 TYPES OF GIFTS IN WILLS A gift in your will is a legacy to people and organ- a program operating today could be cancelled in the isations from your estate. Your estate is the total future. value of all of your assets at the time you die. This Benefiting Future Generations includes bank deposits, shares in companies, property, personal possessions, vehicles and oth- A gift in your will to the people and causes that align er investments. with your passion to help solve problems in the world is very noble and generous. It doesn’t cost anything in You can specify how you will allocate your estate in your lifetime and is only activated after your death. It various ways including: could be difficult to support charitable causes finan- • a specific amount of money cially but you could be in a position to leave a gift in • a gift of your whole estate your will. • property that you own • a percentage of your estate Charities depend on income from bequests to fund fu- • gifts of specific belongings such as jewellery & ture projects and your generosity can live on for dec- household contents ades and provides opportunities and hope for future • the residue of your estate after you have provided generations. for your loved ones Contact a Charity When considering leaving a legacy, it’s a good idea Contact any of the charities listed in this guide to find not to be too restrictive in stipulating its use because out more about how to leave a gift in your will. GIFT of TIME 2020-2021 The Catholic Weekly 5 GIFT of TIME Share our Faith and our Works with Future Generations Consider the Catholic Archdiocese of • Catechesis to students in schools Sydney in your Will today. For 2000 years, • Support to our retired Priests our Catholic faith has been fostered and is • And much more the source of many good works. A bequest After you have taken care of your loved with the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney is ones, a gift you may like to consider is a a way to preserve our faith and our good percentage or the residue of your estate. works, ensuring they are shared with This is one of the many options you might future generations. consider in establishing a legacy gift in Your legacy will continue to support: your Will. • The proclamation of the Gospel and our For more information, call our Planned Catholic faith Giving Specialist, Richard Allcock, on • Food and accommodation to single 02 9307 8442 or email richard.allcock@ mothers facing homelessness sydneycatholic.org and ask for our free • Aid and support to those disabled or deaf Wills guide today! • Formation for our future seminarians • Restoration of our Mother Church, St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney Our Catholic Mass Recently Ordained Priests 6 The Catholic Weekly GIFT of TIME 2020-2021 GIFT of TIME Our Catholic faith and works Today’s Catholics in Sydney continue to support our agencies like the Charitable Works Fund, the Priests’ Retirement Foundation and the St Mary’s Cathedral National Trust. Today, Catholics in Sydney continue to support our agen- cies like the Charitable Works Fund, the Priests’ Retirement Foundation and the St Mary’s Cathedral National Trust. This in turn continues our works of healing the sick, hous- ing the homeless and caring for our elders. Dear Friends, It supports our mission of providing future priests, and Our Catholic faith, and our catechising Catholic students in St Mary’s Cathedral works, have shaped our history State schools. National Trust for 2,000 years and continue to It provides material support do so today, both in Sydney and to sustain our iconic places of Over many years, Catholics, Christians, visitors beyond. worship, like St Mary’s Cathe- and admirers of our Cathedral have made pos- Inspired by the teachings dral and preserves our Catholic sible the building of St Mary’s Cathedral through of Jesus, our faith has moved art, which conveys our story their generous gifts left to this magnificent herit- Christians to bring about charity and truth. age building. and love in the world, which has These works have support- Since then, similar generosity is what has pre- led to the conversion of nations. ed people around the world for served and cared for the Cathedral which we `use Our moral codes and canon 2,000 years, and I ask you today today to pray, seek refuge and adore our faith. laws have influenced legal sys- to please continue this ministry, The conservation program that protects St tems across Europe, and be- so that future generations may Mary’s Cathedral is in ongoing need, as the Ca- yond.