This document is a letter from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster encouraging Catholics to consider leaving a legacy gift to the Diocese in their will or estate plan. It explains that legacy gifts can have an enduring impact in allowing the Diocese to continue its mission. It provides some examples of how legacy gifts could be used, such as to train seminarians, provide for retired priests, support cathedral repairs and maintenance, and conduct pilgrimages. The document also notes that legacy gifts could be designated to a parish for needs like repairs, furnishings, or programs. It includes a reply form for individuals to request more information or indicate their legacy plans.

1. LegaciesDepartment
RomanCatholicDioceseofWestminster
VaughanHouse
46FrancisStreet
London
SW1P1QN
‘I wish to say thank you for taking the time to
consider naming the Roman Catholic Diocese
of Westminster in your will or estate plan.We
are truly blessed by the generosity of so many
Catholics here.A legacy gift can have an enduring
impact on our ability to continue the mission to
which Christ calls us. I pray that God guides you
during this time of reflection and that you find
peace in your heart for how you wish to share
your gifts with your loved ones, and the Church.’
CardinalVincent Nichols
Archbishop of Westminster
Registered Charity Number 233699
Office of Fundraising & Stewardship, Vaughan House,
46 Francis Street, London SW1P 1QN
Telephone 020 7798 9375 Email: legacies@rcdow.org.uk
RomanCatholicDioceseofWestminster
VaughanHouse
46FrancisStreet
London
SW1P1QN
BusinessReplyPlus
LicenceNumber
RRHJ-JASR-UBUZ
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Remember the
Church with a
Legacy Gift
A Lifetime of Faith….FaithThat Lives On
Please contact, or have your solicitor contact, the
Diocese of Westminster when preparing your Will.We’d
be happy to provide you sample legal language that can
be used, as well as a useful ‘Asset Organiser’ booklet to
help you record all your assets and essential information
in one place – which would be a great help to your
loved ones/executor at a time of bereavement.
We would also be happy to give you the guide
‘Preparing for My Funeral’ which will help ensure your
preferences for undertaker, readings, songs, burial and
other important information is on hand with loved ones.
‘Aseachhasreceivedagift,use
ittoserveoneanother’1Peter4:10
‘Thegeneroussoulwill
prosper,hewhowaters,
willbewatered’Proverbs11:25

2. Train Seminarians to Become Priests – we are
blessed with an increasing number of vocations. It costs
£125,000+ to educate, house and form each man
for the priesthood over the six-year programme.And
there are studies in Rome and advanced study courses.
Forming men who are called to priesthood is a top
priority for the future of the Church.
Provide for Sick Retired Priests – these men
have given their lives in devotion to a vocation.The
Diocese assures their housing once retired, and that
no elderly or infirm priest suffers alone.We provide
financial support for medical needs that fall through the
gaps of coverage, their transport needs to doctors or
therapists, respite care and recovery post-surgery, as
well as their for their pastoral and spiritual needs.
Other diocesan-wide ministries as determined
by the Diocese – these can range from repairs and
maintenance of Westminster Cathedral, the seat of
the Diocese, to providing Pilgrimages for the sick and
dying, to conducting special programmes to promote
Marriage and Family Life.
Your legacy gift can also be designated to your parish.
Your parish has ongoing needs for which regular
offerings at Mass cannot meet: emergency repairs to
the structure, or the parish hall or priest’s house, or
for new furnishings for the Church; parish activities and
programmes for children, seniors, or outreach to the
poor locally. Many Catholics choose to support both at
the diocesan level and at the parish level, the frontline
of Catholic community.
Yes, I am interested in knowing more
about making a Legacy Gift to the Diocese
of Westminster and/or my local parish.
Please send me samples of legal language
on making a bequest
Please send me a copy of the ‘Asset
Inventory’ booklet, to help me organise
my assets and details for my loved ones
Please send me the guide on ‘Preparing for
My Funeral’, so that my wishes for that time
will be honoured
I have already made a provision for the
Diocese (or my parish) in my current Will.
Contact me to discuss
Do not contact me but know I have
done so.
If your parish is designated, and not the Diocese,
please provide the name of your parish:
Surname
First name
Address
Postcode
Telephone number
Email addresss
Generosity during an active life
can be completed by generosity
in a legacy. For many, our
Faith is at the centre of daily
living and the work of The
Church in service of the Faith is
generously supported in many
practical ways.
This leaflet invites you to consider leaving a
legacy to The Church in your Will. This can be
done in different ways. Help is at hand to
assist you.
A simple Legacy Gift is a good way to continue
your generosity to The Church and expressing
your love for our Catholic Faith.
There are several ways in which you can
make a legacy gift:
• Through a bequest in your Will of a specific
amount
• Through a bequest of a percentage of your
residual estate after other intentions are met
• Designating the Church to receive the
remainder of your estate after beneficiaries
are looked after
• A gift designation in your Will of a specific
item of property: land, a house, artwork, or
other valuable items (jewellery, precious
metals, antiques, cars, etc.) to which you
have title
• A gift of appreciated shares or funds/
accounts to which you have ownership.
Of course, loved ones need to be protected and
considered first. Your generosity through a legacy
gift will be put to good use in the work of The
Church, to:
Evangelise – especially children and young adults
who are in their most impressionable years, through
Catholic Schools, university chaplaincy, teen catechesis
and moral formation programmes.
Care for the Poor Marginalised – through
Caritas (our social action network), focusing on
hunger, poverty housing and homelessness, prison
ministry and outreach, neglected youth and seniors,
the disabled, the unemployed and unskilled.
‘A blessing awaits the
man who is kindly,
since he shares his
bread with the poor’
Proverbs 22:9
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