St Mark Catholic Parish

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Parish members ask about memorials in honor of or in memory of parents, children, family members and occasions on the daily journey with the Lord Jesus. This is certainly a noble and appropriate way to acknowledge the presence of the Lord Jesus in the lives of those we love and provide for the living of the parish mission statement. This publication describes the endowment trust and funds available in the parish as memorials. Questions can be addressed at 715.359.5206). Understand that funds from wills can be added to the Saint Mark Parish Endowment Trust or the described funds only if designated for such purpose in the will. Funds from a will not designated for a specific trust or fund must be placed in the general fund of the parish per diocesan fiscal policy. Saint Mark Parish Endowment Trust Capital Improvement Fund Church Renovation Fund Parish Catechetical Programming Fund Church Memorial Fund Ministry Fund A Note about Wills Saint Mark Parish Endowment Trust The endowment trust was legally established within the corporation of the Diocese of LaCrosse on 11 September 1992. As is the purpose of an endowment trust, the principal is never invaded. Monies to compensate for any rate of inflation are added to the principal from interest earned each year. The remaining interest is available for use as designated by the parish pastoral council. Funds can be added to the trust in honor or in memory of family members, friends or occasions at any time. Funds contributed to the endowment trust are temporarily held in the parish until the total is sufficient for investing. Additions to the Saint Mark Parish Endowment Trust can be made in the forms of stock, life insurance policies, cash or bequests. The names of the persons in whose name the trust is funded are recorded in a parish register. Top Capital Improvement Fund This fund is specific and is dedicated to the improvement, not the maintenance of the parish property and facilities needed to carry out our mission as a parish. The use of this fund is determined by the parish pastoral council in consultation with the parish finance council and based on dialogue with parish staff and committee members in catechesis, liturgy, family life and justice and peace. It is within the scope of these fund to assist in, not fund, the replacement of roofs, windows, carpeting, heating plants and office equipment and the like. The fund is currently held in savings with the Diocese of La Crosse. The names of the persons who fund the Capital Improvement Fund are recorded in a parish register and the funds can be added to the fund in honor or in memory of family members, friends or occasions at any time. Top Church Renovation Fund This fund is specific in vision. The parish pastoral council has been involved in a study of ministry in the parish and certainly the celebration of the liturgy is the primary reason for the existence of a parish. The current building was constructed almost 40 years ago as a gym. The current pews, paint and carpeting are dated to the early 1970's. There is a need for cosmetic renewal. The study of the parish pastoral council is also considering, as part of parish pastoral planning, the reconfiguring the building for a time when Mass on Sunday might be celebrated once or twice on a weekend, these calling for an enlarged building. Current needs from experience call for a Eucharistic Chapel and a better location for the Reconciliation Chapel, better rest rooms, a choir room, a greeting hall and reordering the assembly area. The Church Renovation Fund is long term, but a vision of the need is vibrant. Additions to this fund can be made in the forms of stock, cash or bequests. Funds can be added directly to the fund in honor or in memory of family members, friends or occasions at any time. The fund is currently held in savings with the Diocese of La Crosse. The names of the persons in whose name the Church Renovation Fund is funded are recorded in a parish register. Top Parish Catechetical Programming Fund This fund provides resources for Youth Ministry, for young people and adults of the parish . . . . support for retreats, marriage encounter, outreach experiences, catechetical materials and enrichment for young members and adults. The names of the persons who fund the Parish Catechetical Programming Fund are recorded in a parish register. Top Church Memorial Fund This fund provides for liturgical needs like church appointments (altar, ambo, baptismal font, ambry), vestments for priests, deacons and altar servers, vessels, icons, banners and liturgical books. The parish has elected not to place engraved plaques with donor names on liturgical appointments. As with parish members who would benefit from this memorial in the ways listed, the names of the persons in whose name the Church Memorial Fund is funded are recorded in a parish register. Top Ministry Fund This fund provides funding for people. For example, book expenses for young men and women of college age who are studying in seminaries or convents, for adults who attend the Lay Ministry Program or the Diaconate programs of the diocese who would minister in the parish, for parish members to attend seminars and workshops and retreats, for organ or piano lessons for prospective pastoral musicians. The names of the persons in whose name the Ministry Fund is funded are recorded in a parish register. Top A Note about Wills It is estimated that within the next 25 years 11 trillion dollars will exchange hands as the result of an aging population. There is wisdom in deciding to write a will. The result is good stewardship of your resources and a living testimonial of your commitment to the Gospel. You can include Saint Mark Parish in your will through the Saint Mark Endowment Trust or one the Funds described above in a number of ways: With a specific sum of money As a percentage of your estate As a contingent (alternative) beneficiary As a specified contribution over a period of time As a one-time donation of stock or bonds Such provisions do not complicate or burden the writing of a will or its probate. Consult an attorney about the necessary legal steps. Do note that funds bequested to the parish must be designated in your will for the endowment trust or one of the funds. Funds bequeathed to the parish which are not designated must be placed in the general fund of the parish according to the fiscal policy of the Diocese of LaCrosse. The legal address of the parish is: Saint Mark Catholic Parish Catholic Diocese of LaCrosse 602 Military Road Rothschild, Wisconsin 54474-1523 A gift is "made" to the parish when you lose control over it. If you mail a check to the parish for the endowment trust or one of the designated funds listed, the gift is "made" on the date that the envelope is postmarked. If you make a gift of stock, the gift is deemed "made" the date the stock is received in the parish account or the postmark date if mailed. Top ©2003 by Saint Mark Parish, Parish Pastoral Council Subcommittee on Stewardship, Rothschild, Wisconsin 55574-1523. Copyright clearance, Secretariat for Legal Affairs and Copyright Management. All rights reserved.