Bequests

For 2,000 years, Catholics have made heroic sacrifices as a means of Christian witness and as a way to help our neighbours flourish.

As seen in the New Testament, Christians gave all they had, including their life under persecution, to further proclaim the Gospel and advance Christ’s mission.

Today, faithful Catholics from around the world continue to give. A bequest to the Catholic Church in Sydney is one way to continue building this ancient tradition of giving to share our faith and our works with the community.

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New Testament

Where Can you leave a legacy gift?

Charitable Works Fund

You may choose to make a bequest for the purposes of the Charitable Works Fund. The CWF supports six agencies that provide pastoral services to thousands of people each year. These agencies offer comfort to people in crisis or despair, Catholic education to students in state schools, support to deaf and hearing impaired people, training for future priests – as well as many other important ministries. 

The six ministries supported by the CWF are: CatholicCare, Seminaries, Chaplaincies, Ephpheta Centre, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry and Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD).

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Priests’ Retirement Foundation

The Priests’ Retirement Foundation provides the financial means to care for sick and retired priests. Most of our Archdiocesan priests work long into their seventies, caring for the spiritual life and welfare of their people - often to the detriment of their own long-term welfare. Even in retirement most priests will continue to serve the community, in particular, by celebrating weekend Masses in parishes and assisting as chaplains in aged care facilities. The Priests’ Retirement Foundation covers needs such as convalescence care, nursing home and hostel care for frail priests, assistance in transitioning to retirement, health insurance, medical and dental expenses and assistance with board and lodging.

St Mary's Cathedral

St Mary’s Cathedral is Our Cathedral, standing in the heart of Sydney as a Christian statement of grace and beauty.

Generations of artists have bequeathed to it magnificent gifts in stone and glass - designing a unique space for solace and prayer within this vibrant city.

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Your Local Parish

Many parishes would benefit from more resources to maintain their buildings and infrastructure or to provide additional staffing or pastoral care services. A bequest to your local parish would provide much needed help to the people of your local community and would be greatly appreciated by them.

Your Lasting Gift

You can choose to help the important work of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney by making a bequest. A bequest is a gift of part of your estate made in your Will. Your estate is the total of all your assets and possessions when you pass away. By making a bequest, you will provide support for many ministries provided by the Church. Your generosity will make a difference to the lives of many.

Types of Bequests

There are four main types of bequests a donor can leave in their will.

Residual

This is the remainder of the donor’s estate after first leaving gifts to their loved ones. A residual bequest will stay consistent with inflation.

 Percentage or Fractional

This is a gift expressed as a percentage or fraction of the donor’s estate. Again, these gifts aren’t influenced by inflation. Donors can leave a percentage of either the residue of their estate or a percentage of the entire estate.

Pecuniary or Specific

This is a specified gift which can include money, property or stocks and shares.

Whole Estate

This comprises the donor’s entire estate and is usually left by those without family or other preferred beneficiaries, or by those wanting to achieve something very significant with their gift.

A bequest may be given 'freely' meaning that the recipient organisation can make arrangements as it sees fit within the aims of the organisation, or it may be given with conditions which must be honoured.

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Wording for your Will

If you would like to assist the Church to continue its charitable works, we recommend the following standard clause:

I give to the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Archdiocese of Sydney the sum of $___________________ for the purpose of (select from of the following):

  •     The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney
  •     The Priests’ Retirement Foundation
  •     The Charitable Works Fund
  •     St Mary’s Cathedral National Trust
  •     My local parish, (please specify)

If you wish to leave the whole or part of your estate, then this clause will have to be adapted accordingly in consultation with your solicitor.

More information

Cardinal Gilroy Society

The Cardinal Gilroy Society was established in 2009 to honour and thank those people with the foresight to pledge a bequest for the ongoing ministries of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.

Supporters who advise that they have left a bequest in their Will to one of the Sydney Archdiocese’s good works including the Charitable Works Fund, the Priests’ Retirement Foundation, St Mary’s Cathedral Conservation Appeal or one of its parishes or agencies, are invited to become members of the Gilroy Society.

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NEWS AND TESTIMONIALS FROM BEQUESTORS AND BENEFICIARIES

Mr. Ray Morris

Jan 22, 2020 | Testimonials
How has the Catholic Faith Impacted your life? Like many others, my Catholic faith was nurtured by my mother who was a very good practising ...
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Meet Richard, our new Planned Giving Specialist

Oct 20, 2019 | News
Hi there, My name is Richard Allcock and I have recently joined the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney’s Development and Fundraising Office, as a Planned Giving ...
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Mr. Paul Pinel

Oct 20, 2019 | Testimonials
Meet Paul Pinel My parents lived through the depression in a room in Newtown. Dad was out of work, mum was out of work, and ...
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Mrs. Marie South

Oct 20, 2019 | Testimonials
At 91 years old (although she certainly does not look it – and is even younger at heart), Mrs. South is a loyal supporter of ...
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A Beneficiary of Your Support

Nov 30, 2018 | News
On 4th November 2018, the Cardinal Gilroy Society, a group of donors who have committed a gift to the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney in their ...
Read More

HAVE A QUESTION?

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you require more information about anything you have seen on our website. Alternatively you can write to us at the following address:

Fundraising and Development Office
Level 7, Polding Centre
133 Liverpool St
Sydney NSW 2000

    Collection Notice

    The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney is collecting your personal information for the purposes of accepting donations, bequest enquiries, and contacting you in relation to donations to the Charitable Works Fund, St Mary's Cathedral National Trust, Priests' Retirement Foundation bequests. We also collect your personal information for the purpose of contacting you regarding activities and events of the Archdiocese and Catholic Church and for the purpose of other agencies of the Archdiocese and organisations affiliated with the Archdiocese contacting you for fundraising purposes.  Your personal information will be collected in accordance with the collection notice which can be found at http://www.sydneycatholic.org/terms-and-conditions/#collection.

    I do not wish to receive communications from the Archdiocese regarding Charitable Works Fund, St Mary's Cathedral National Trust, Priests Retirement Foundation or bequests.I do not wish to receive communications from the Archdiocese and affiliated organisations about other fundraising activities.I do not wish to receive communications from the Archdiocese about non-fundraising activities and events of the Archdiocese and Catholic Church.

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