Legacy Stories

As our parish celebrates its legacy of 45 years, I recently asked long-time parishioners, Mike and Teresa, what advice they would give to young couples new to the parish about how to save and steward their money for charitable giving. Their advice to couples just starting out, does not involve understanding the new tax laws but rests with thoughtful considerations, or the virtue of prudence in balancing choices between having, giving, and saving.
 
They shared with me that it is important for those starting out, no matter their income, to make deposits into a savings account, no matter how small; to be intentional about it. They said they opened a savings account for each child. When the accounts got large enough, they transferred the savings to a brokerage account. They also had the intention not to use their income for extravagances, but to make saving a priority. Eventually, they saved enough to invest in stock. They said, even though there is always risk when purchasing stock, because of their faith that God gives generously, they invested in the stock market by purchasing 100 shares of Microsoft stock. The impact of this investment, years later, enabled their son’s tuition to Rockhurst University to be fully funded.
 
Today their savings yields gifts beyond funding household needs to charities that benefit veterans and religious sisters such as the Little Sisters of the Poor. They have a funded Donor Advised Fund, which is like a charitable savings account, which allows them to make Grants to the causes they care about. A Donor Advised Fund and can also yield a much larger rate of interest than a regular savings account. They also roll over their IRA required minimum distribution to make their stewardship commitment to Holy Spirit, which saves from the withdrawal being realized as income. 
 
Mike and Teresa are grateful for their financial gifts that God has given them to steward. They have shown the virtue of patience as they built up resources for their family and the Church. The parish is grateful that God has graced the community with families such as Mike and Teresa.

Terri M. Lynn, M.T.S., Stewardship Development Coordinator