If you know them, you are blessed beyond measure. Lonnie and Bev Applegate are a spirit-filled couple from St. Anthony in Hillsdale, which they affectionately call their second home. Both are retired and love being the hands and feet of the Lord. Lonnie is a trained spiritual director with 23 directees and Bev is the “Queen of Donations.” All year long, Bev collects goods for the Center for Hope in Flint, is making quilts for those in need of a warm hug (over 100 quilts were made last year) or is in the kitchen whipping up something good for one of the many events at St. Anthony or surrounding parishes. 

The couple have four boys from a blended family: Joseph, Jason, Dustin, and Andrew. When the boys were young, they weren’t involved in the Catholic Church, but still volunteered at a non-denominational ministry. Unfortunately, it took a tragedy to bring them to Sacred Heart in Hudson. Joseph, their oldest, passed at the young age of 34 when he was stationed with the Army in South Korea. “He would have been 50 years old this year,” Lonnie recalls, “even with this tragedy, God works all things for good — God saved our lives.” It was after the death of Joseph that both Lonnie and Bev realized they needed more; they needed the Eucharist. It was the Eucharist that drew them to the Church and closer to God. 

Last year, after a couple of brushes with sickness, they decided to finalize their estate plan. They reached out to Mark Jackson with Jackson Eaton-Gordon & Associates, PLLC in Adrian. Bev said, “The process was easy and took less than an hour. If we would have only known that earlier.” Both Lonnie and Bev agreed that Joseph’s portion of their estate would go to the Church. “He would have wanted that,” Lonnie states. 

After notifying The Catholic Foundation of their gift intentions, Lonnie and Bev were welcomed into the Immaculate Conception Legacy Society. This society is for those who have left a planned gift to any Catholic organization in the Diocese of Lansing. 

A few of the benefits include:

• Monthly Mass offered at St. Mary Cathedral for the intentions of Immaculate Conception Legacy Society members
•  Invitation to Mass and luncheon with Bishop Boyea on or near the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
• Peace of mind with knowledge your gift will be honored as intended
• Inspires others to support our Catholic faith with a gift of their own

If you have made, or wish to consider making, a legacy gift commitment to a Catholic organization or ministry of your choosing, please contact The Catholic Foundation for assistance in fulfilling your vision of support for our Catholic Church. 

Legacy Gift Planning

What is a Legacy Gift?

A Legacy Gift is made to an organization in the context of financial or estate planning. If carried out with discernment, a Legacy Gift becomes a beautiful expression of your deepest values and stewardship. With Legacy Gift Planning through The Catholic Foundation, you can plan to remember your favorite Catholic cause(s) and leave a legacy of faith for generations to come.

Legacy gift planning is arranging your gift to be received in the future or at death. Planned giving is easy to do and there are many current benefits to legacy gift planning, including tax advantages, securing sources of income, and the peace of mind that comes from providing for the people and institutions you care most deeply about.

Why choose us?

The Catholic Foundation ensures Catholics a way to leave their legacy uniquely aligned with their Catholic values and beliefs. Donors enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that their gift directly supports the Catholic organizations and causes that they choose.

Whom do we serve?

The Catholic Foundation, an arm of the Diocese of Lansing, assists donors in creating a meaningful impact through legacy gift planning and charitable fund management. We are also a service to the parishes, schools, and other Catholic organizations in the Diocese of Lansing.

Where will the impact be felt?

The Catholic Foundation inspires giving and assists donors to provide for the long-term needs of the Church in the Diocese of Lansing, including ministries of Catholic organizations throughout the 10-county region in south-central Michigan.

How can I make a Legacy Gift?

Legacy gifts take many forms. Below are some of the most common gifts that people choose.

• Gift from Will or Trust
• Gift of a Retirement Account
• Gift of an Insurance Policy
• Gift of Financial Accounts

Contact The Catholic Foundation at (517) 253-8787 for assistance with your Legacy Gift planning!