FALL RIVER (Jan. 21, 2021) — The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts and the Diocese of Fall River are pleased to announce the launch of the “Anima Christi” Legacy Society. Anima Christi, meaning Soul of Christ, recognizes the role that planned gifts have played in continuing good works in the Diocese of Fall River. The Society honors individuals who have made an estate gift to diocesan parishes, schools, or other ministries.

In a message inviting parishioners to become a member, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., shared, “Your gift, offered as a sign of gratitude for the blessings you received in this life, will make you present, remembered, honored and prayed for—for years to come.”

“Launching the ‘Anima Christi’ Legacy Society is such an important step in seeding the future efforts of our Diocese. Planned gifts plant seeds today that will grow roots to sustain our parishes, our schools, our retired priests, our social services, and so many other facets of our Catholic faith,” said Miriam Finn Sherman, who is Chief Executive Officer of the Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts. “Planned gifts have benefited entities across our Diocese for generations. This new Society will enable us to formally welcome and honor individuals in their lifetimes for the incredible legacy that they are leaving.”

Bishop da Cunha will celebrate a special Mass in the fall of 2021 to welcome members into the Society. The Mass will also include a posthumous induction of those individuals whose generosity was not fully recognized during their lifetimes.

The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, a separately incorporated non-profit, is a vehicle for making planned gifts as well as a resource for individuals exploring planned giving options that will benefit the Diocese and its many ministries. Planned gifts provide individuals an opportunity to direct their giving of assets to benefit the causes and ministries most important to them, and can also offer benefits in an individual’s lifetime from meeting minimum IRA distributions to avoiding capital gains taxes. More information about the “Anima Christi” Legacy Society in the Diocese of Fall River can be found at: https://www.catholicfoundationsema.org/anima-christi-legacy-society/

About the Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts

Since its founding in 2018, the Foundation is actively growing in its service to the Catholic Schools Alliance, the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE), the Catholic Social Services, and the Catholic Charities Appeal. Steering The Catholic Foundation is an engaged and dynamic Board of Directors: Co-chairs Patrick Carney and Nick Christ, as well as George Agostini, Bob and Chris Long, Richard Lafrance, Maryellen Sullivan Shachoy, Spiritual Director Reverend Marcel Bouchard, Bishop da Cunha, Reverend John Murray (Moderator of the Curia) and Reverend Richard Wilson (Vicar General), as well as honorary Board member, Joseph Ciffolillo. For more information about the Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, please go to www.catholicfoundationsema.org

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