There are many definitions of “legacy,” but here’s the one I like: “Anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor.”My father, Aldo Quilici, left no bequests, and yet he left a deep and powerful legacy. He handed down his love of family, and his faith. He was an original “Stablemate” at St. Justin, and helped build the first parish church. He and my mom devoted many years in support of Notre Dame High School.
He contributed to our sense of ourselves through music, dance and food (he was Italian after all).
He inspired his six children to BE the people he saw in us. He went to heaven in 2008, and his inspiration lives on in all of us. THAT is legacy.
Here in Santa Clara valley we have rich heritage and legacy: culturally, technologically, artistically, spiritually.
For the Diocese of San Jose we wish to develop a culture of legacy, of planning what we will “hand down.”
Sometimes we think of legacy as involving a monetary gift, and it is certainly that, but it is much more.
On Saturday October 3rd, the Catholic Community Foundation hosted the first diocesan-wide Legacy Day. 50 people, including 10 priests, joined us at St. Christopher for this event. The objective was to start a conversation around various topics of legacy. We also introduced the Catholic Legacy Society, intended to recognize members of our Catholic community who have remembered CHURCH in their plans. This could include a parish, school, religious order, Catholic Charities, or any other Catholic organization.
Bishop McGrath started us off with reflection and prayer. He reminded us that perhaps the greatest gift from our good God is the promise of eternal life. Legacy planning, he said, allows us to ensure that our earthly work, commitment and passion can continue even after we fully realize eternal life.
Fr. Brendan McGuire gave a beautiful overview of the final acts of faith, hope and love. In reference to the old phrase, “you can’t take it with you,” he said that in fact all you take with you in the fullness of eternal life, is LOVE.
We had four break-out sessions, covering such topics as “legacy letters,” “financial planning,” “Catholic ethics of dying,” and “Celebration of life.”
What struck me is the consistent theme. Throughout the discussions, we always came back to the joyful opportunity to celebrate God’s abiding love for us.
Bishop McGrath said that part of legacy is indeed about money, about gifts that allow the continuation of ministry.
It ALSO can be a beautiful expression of the larger church.
Legacy means that through endowments, someone who is a parishioner at
St. Christopher now, can help a family at Our Lady of Guadalupe, a hundred years from now.
At the Foundation, we facilitate legacy planning in many ways, primarily through the development of endowments for Catholic organizations.
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Talk to your pastor about starting a parish endowment
- Join the Catholic Legacy Society. It’s simple. If you have recognized any Catholic organization in plans, just sign up on our website: https://catholiccf.org/join-us/legacy-society/
- Help us plan a Legacy Day for your parish or deanery
Legacy is a continuation. The continuation of my father’s great love and spirit is a huge and comforting part of my life.
I hope that you’ll share your thoughts on legacy with us, indicate your commitment by joining the Catholic Legacy Society, and help us continue the conversation in your parish, and across the diocese.
Mary Quilici Aumack, author, is the Executive Director of the Catholic Community Foundation.