{"id":838,"date":"2020-05-05T11:44:35","date_gmt":"2020-05-05T15:44:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catholicfoundationsema.org\/?page_id=838"},"modified":"2024-02-20T21:38:04","modified_gmt":"2024-02-20T21:38:04","slug":"anima-christi-legacy-society","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.catholicfoundationsema.org\/es\/anima-christi-legacy-society\/","title":{"rendered":"Anima Christi Legacy Society"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

INSPIRED BY THE SOUL OF CHRIST TO LEAVE A LEGACY OF FAITH<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Anima Christi Means \u201cSoul of Christ\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts established the \u201cAnima Christi\u201d Legacy Society to honor individuals and families who have made a planned gift in their will or estate plan to the Catholic Foundation, for any of its funds, a parish, a Catholic school, a Catholic organization, or the Diocese of Fall River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legacy gifts play a vital role in the Foundation\u2019s ability to increase its support of the people within the Diocese of Fall River for years to come. The goals of the \u201cAnima Christi\u201d Legacy Society are to thank and honor those who have included The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts in their estate plans and to serve as a resource for others considering a legacy gift. We hope that you will consider becoming a member of this special circle of faith and devotion in service to the Diocese of Fall River and its life-changing ministries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Message from Bishop da Cunha<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I think about the Diocese of Fall River and the many lifechanging ministries to our community that with the generosity of our people we provide, I am both inspired and humbled by being a part of this work. Together, we are rebuilding our Diocese in faith and hope. We know that we are doing so not only for today, but also for tomorrow\u2014for the future of our Church. The seeds that we are sowing today will bear fruit for the next generation of the Catholic faithful, inspire others to hear the call to follow Jesus and to spread the faith, and continue to serve the needs of countless individuals in our Diocese. Today, I invite you to consider a special role that you may play by making a planned gift and becoming part of our \u201cAnima Christi\u201d Legacy Society. Your gift, offered as a sign of gratitude for the blessings you received in this life, will make you present, remembered, honored and prayed for\u2014for years to come. With thanks for your loyal support and every prayerful good wish to you and yours, I am<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sincerely yours in Christ,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
Bishop of Fall River<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inspiring Stories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Father Marcel Bouchard<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Father Marcel Bouchard served as a priest in the Diocese of Fall River for 46 years. Ordained in 1972, he will celebrate this year his 49th anniversary of ordination. He is also a Founding Board Member and the Spiritual Advisor to The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts. A graduate of Bishop Stang High School, he studied for the priesthood at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, CT and St. John\u2019s Seminary in Brighton, MA. He earned a degree in Systematic Theology from the Catholic University in Washington D.C. Fr. Bouchard held many positions in the Diocese throughout the years and recently retired as Pastor of St. Mary, Our Lady of the Isle Parish on Nantucket. About his planned gift Fr. Bouchard shares, \u201cI have been blessed to serve Christ\u2019s mission as a priest of our Diocese. By leaving a legacy gift, I feel I am continuing to help our Diocese serve Christ\u2019s mission on earth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Boutin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy wife and I moved to Raynham in 1993. We have always been church-goers, Sunday Mass and holy days of obligation. We would toss a few dollars in the basket as it came across the pew but never considered much more-that is until we arrived at St. Ann\u2019s in Raynham. Father Davignon realized we were new to the parish and invited us to chat after a Mass. He asked us to make our donation via the envelope system, which we agreed to do. No hard sell, just a simple request from a friend. The more we listened to him on occasion at Mass, the more we realized how important these few dollars were, not only for the sake of the parish but also the ministries of the diocese. We found the ability to increase our weekly gifts a bit easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enter Father Mike as Father Davignon was moved to a different parish. During Fr. Mike\u2019s tenure we were made more aware of how helping the diocese and their ministries was just as important as taking care of our own parish. This was made clear when, from the pulpit, Father Mike told us we could skip a few weeks of parish donations in order to make those donations to Catholic Charities of the Fall River Diocese. We then began pledging more to the diocese in addition to increasing our weekly parish donations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, Fr. Mike was moved and in came Father John. Fr. John maintained the same caring attitude as the others in hopes that more parishioners will begin or continue to make donations. As we have been able to, we\u2019ve increased our weekly gifts over time for our parish as well as our annual pledges to the diocese through The Catholic Appeal. We have also arranged through our will to bequeath a donation to St. Ann\u2019s Church in Raynham to be used to continue the good works within our community that drew us to appreciate this parish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are not wealthy individuals. We give what we can when we can. It\u2019s simply that we feel our faith has been important to us over the years and would like to see it continue for generations to come. This note is being written hoping that other members of the diocese will consider doing the same, either to your parish or our diocese.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stella Citrano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEver since I left my childhood parish, I didn\u2019t feel as though I belonged to any parish. Since I was three years old, my family and I vacationed on Cape Cod. I went to several parishes throughout my adult life, and I never felt that I belonged. From 1979 through 1986, I never felt connected. Over the years, I went to Christ the King a few times as they were building the new church. After the new church was built, I went to the dedication of the newly built Christ the King Parish in Mashpee. After I sent in my membership welcome packet, the Pastor, Msgr. Tosti (now retired) called me personally at home to speak to me and welcome me into the parish community. As a result of feeling so welcomed, I have continued my Eucharistic Minister duties, became a member of our parish chapter of the national women\u2019s bible study, Walking with Purpose, and assisted most recently in the ministry of RCIA \u2013 Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This was a moment in my life where I felt that I had found my spiritual home. I never felt at home until I joined Christ the King Parish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it came time to prepare a will, I knew it was important to help the diocese foster spiritual growth among all its flock. What better way to honor my relationship with my parish by choice than to help them continue their fellowship with a gift. One way I can make a difference is making the world a better place. No matter the amount of the gift (provided my husband has passed), than to help the Parish of Christ the King continue the programs they offer which I believe will help our faith continue going forward. In planning my legacy gift, Christ the King Parish is the place for me. This is the only place that I can call home and feel as though I belong, which is so gratifying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roy Jarrett, A Champion of Supporting Catholic Education<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In 1997, the first St. Mary\u2019s Education Fund Summer Gala Committee was created. Roy Jarrett joined the committee on Cape Cod as a founding member. He remained a dedicated member of what has become known as the FACE Summer Gala for 22 years. His presence could be found at every meeting, as he conscientiously volunteered for FACE and helped disseminate its importance in the wider community. Roy never missed the FACE Summer Gala. He was a devoted and enthusiastic supporter of FACE and proudly served as Chairperson in 2011. In 2019, Roy attended the 22nd Annual FACE Summer Gala and sadly passed away ten days later at the age of 91.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We honor our beloved friend Roy and remember him as a kind and generous person. He graciously and thoughtfully remembered FACE in his estate arrangements, leaving a legacy to benefit students. Through Roy\u2019s generosity, his everlasting support will assist hundreds of children in need of financial support to receive a Catholic education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Give<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ASSETS THAT CAN BE ALLOCATED OR BEQUEATHED TO LEAVE A LEGACY OF FAITH<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n