Meet Our Donors

We thank all our planned-gift donors for their generous support. Here are some of their stories.

Planning Ahead for Retirement

As Clem and Rita Wight of Norwood prepared for their retirement, they began making changes in their busy lives.

The couple lived in Needham during the first 16 years of their marriage, then moved to Prince Edward Island for another 16 years, later moving back to this area and settling in Norwood. Today, they are parishioners at nearby St. Catherine of Siena Parish.

A daily communicant, Clem remembers walking seven miles to Mass as a boy on his native Prince Edward Island, where he grew up on a farm as one of 12 children in the family. One of those children would become a priest, Reverend Howard S. Wight, a retired Royal Canadian Air Force chaplain and pastor of St. George Parish on Prince Edward Island. Father Wight died in 1986.

Not surprisingly, supporting the Church is important to Clem and Rita, who grew up in Norwood.

“During my working days, I didn’t do much for charity. I was too busy on the job. I was a salesman. Now, I have time to help people in need,” says Clem. “I receive double benefits from the charitable gift annuity we created. I get a good feeling about giving, and the annuities provide us with a supplement to our income.”

“We want to leave our money where it does the most good,” adds Rita. “Where else would you put your money that it will do so much good?”

“It’s important to start pre-planning at a young age,” Clem points out. “Retirement age is here before you know it. If you haven’t planned early, you won’t have anything to retire on.”

“You’re never too young to start,” Rita agrees.

“We are thankful for the gifts we have and that we are able to arrange some kind of plan for the future,” adds Clem. “In addition to the financial benefits we receive, we have the feeling that we are doing something good with our money. It is being put to good use.”

“If any money is to be given, it will always be given to the Church. That’s how Clem and I feel. Among other charities, our final Will and bequest is designated to the Church,” Rita sums up.

Giving as a Way of Life

Charitable Gift Plans Created With Help of The Catholic Foundation

For Herman Kelter of Lynnfield, it's all about giving back. Kelter, 92, a long-time Lynnfield resident and parishioner at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Lynnfield, says that, for him, giving back is a joy. He traces his desire to give to his parents whom he describes as devout Catholics. "They left me with solid Catholic principles that have remained with me my entire life," Kelter fondly recounts.

Today, Kelter's faith remains strong, as does his desire to give to the Church. He serves as a Eucharistic minister at Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption and brings Communion to homebound parishioners each week, driving effortlessly from house to house. Kelter adds that the rewards of giving back extend to his volunteer work as well. He currently volunteers one day each week at Union Hospital in nearby Lynn and for the last few years at Hospice of the North Shore in Danvers. He also sponsors a child through the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging.

"I have been so blessed by the Almighty – my health, the people that I have associated with – I have been given so much that I am compelled to give back," Kelter explains. "Giving back is no effort. It's a joy. That is why I deserve no credit. I enjoy volunteering. Anything I give back is such a joy. There is no greater feeling than when you are doing something great for God."

Indeed, the concept of Christian Stewardship asks us to return a portion of the many gifts that we have received from God. Stewardship is based on the notion that we, as faithful and responsible stewards, should always remember the words of Jesus, "From those to whom much has been given, much will be expected." (Luke 12:48)

Following the death of his wife in 1997, Mr. Kelter established a number of charitable gift annuities with The Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of Boston. The Kelters had been married for close to 60 years. The Annual Catholic Appeal is the designated beneficiary of Mr. Kelter's gifts.

Mr. Kelter is the first to acknowledge that prior to his creating his first charitable gift annuity in 1997 he was not especially financially savvy. In fact, it was in the Archdiocesan weekly newspaper, The Pilot, where he initially read of planned giving options relating to the Boston Archdiocese. The article prompted him to request information on how to go about establishing a charitable gift annuity with the Archdiocese, which he has done numerous times since.

"When I first learned of charitable gift annuities in connection with the Archdiocese, it sounded as if they would be as much for my benefit as for the Church. It was obvious to me that anything I gave to the Archdiocese would be the best way for my funds to be used," recalls Kelter.

Simply put, in exchange for gifts of cash, securities, real estate or other assets, the Church agrees to pay those who establish annuities annual, semi-annual or quarterly installments, giving the individual or couple a fixed income source for life. Payments may begin shortly after the gift is made or at a later specified date.

The benefits of creating a charitable gift annuity for the Church are clear, with not only a significant charitable deduction, but also a good rate of return for the annuitant. At Mr. Kelter's age, for example, his annuities pay him a rate of more than 10 percent, and it is guaranteed. "I like the idea of not having to worry about such things," he says.

For Kelter, the reasons for establishing a charitable gift annuity also extend beyond achieving financial peace of mind. "When I give to the Church, I feel that my contributions are going to the right places, to the multitude of ministries here in the Archdiocese of Boston. Knowing that my funds are going to something worthwhile gives me a great inner feeling," says Kelter. "I would say to those who are considering establishing a charitable gift annuity with the Archdiocese that they can be assured that their gift will go to worthy causes and that by creating an annuity they are living their faith. I feel compelled to support our faith and demonstrate my desire to support the Church with my gift."