Catholic Legacy Week is an opportunity for Catholics across the country to prayerfully consider how they can continue supporting the Church and the causes closest to their hearts beyond their lifetime. Through stories, resources and events, the week highlights the profound impact that gifts in Wills can have on mission, outreach and charitable work both in the UK and overseas. For the Columbans, it is also a chance to give thanks for the generosity of supporters whose legacy gifts continue to sustain missionary work around the world.
Your Catholic Legacy (YCL) is a consortium of Catholic charities working together to promote legacy giving within the Catholic community. Founded in 2013, the partnership helps Catholics explore how leaving a gift in their Will can continue supporting the people and causes closest to their hearts long into the future.
The Columban Missionaries in Britain have been members of Your Catholic Legacy for several years because we recognise the importance of working collaboratively with other Catholic charities. Through YCL, we are able to share best practice, receive guidance and training, and ensure supporters are given clear, compassionate and trustworthy information about legacy giving. It also reflects our shared belief that gifts in Wills are not simply financial donations, but expressions of faith, hope and love.
“For the Columbans, legacy gifts are truly transformative. Leaving a gift in your Will to the Columbans is a meaningful way to share God’s love with communities around the world who are suffering or affected by poverty, injustice and discrimination,” explains Stephen Awre.
As Columban Fr. Ed O’Connell reflected during a previous Your Catholic Legacy celebration, these gifts become “money turned into life” through projects that support education, nutrition programmes, pastoral outreach, peacebuilding, care for creation and accompaniment of marginalised communities.
The Columbans encourage supporters to explore the guidance and resources available through their partnership with Your Catholic Legacy. The YCL brochure offers helpful information about leaving a gift in a Will to a Catholic charity, including guidance on the legacy process and the different types of gifts that can be left. To receive a brochure by post, please contact the Columban Mission Office on 01564 772 096 or email office@columbans.co.uk.
For guidance on preparing or updating a Will, the different types of gifts that can be left, and the potential tax benefits of charitable giving, the Columbans strongly recommend consulting a qualified legal advisor experienced in drafting Wills.
