More than a century ago, in 1905, The Basilica of Saint Mary received its very first planned gift—an estate gift from John Halloran in the amount of $4,000. In today’s dollars, that would be roughly $140,000. It was a significant gift, but more importantly, it was a statement of faith: a belief that the Church should endure and flourish beyond one lifetime.
That same spirit continues today.
At its heart, planned giving is not about wealth—it is about intention. It is about prayerfully considering how the blessings we have received might continue to bear fruit long after we are gone. Scripture calls us to this kind of generosity again and again: “Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8) and, “Each must give as he has decided in his heart… for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
For many members of The Basilica Legacy Society, this decision flows naturally from a lifetime of faith.
Several parishioners share that The Basilica has marked the most meaningful moments of their lives—weddings, baptisms, funerals, and countless Sundays in between, people like Daniel Waddell. Others, like Laura Schommer speak of gratitude—recognizing how The Basilica community sustained them through both joy and hardship and wanting to give back in a lasting way. Dan and Carol Frenning describe their gift as an act of hope: a way to ensure that future generations will encounter the same beauty, welcome, and sense of belonging that has meant so much to them.
Their stories echo a deeper truth found in Scripture: “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops” (Proverbs 3:9). Planned giving is one way we do just that—not only in this moment, but for the future.
Here at The Basilica of Saint Mary, we are living in a remarkable time. We are in the midst of a major restoration effort to preserve this sacred space for generations to come. At the same time, our annual fund sustains the ministries, liturgies, outreach, and community life that define us today. Both are essential. Both call for generosity in the present.
And yet, there is also a third horizon—one that stretches beyond our own lifetime.
Planned gifts help ensure that The Basilica will remain a place of prayer, beauty, and service for generations to come. They provide long-term strength and stability, allowing future parish leaders to serve boldly and faithfully, just as those before us have done.
Importantly, you do not need to be wealthy to make a planned gift. Like John Halloran’s gift in 1905, what matters most is not the size, but the intention behind it. Planned gifts can be as simple as including The Basilica in your will or naming it as a beneficiary of a retirement account—often without affecting your financial situation today.
If you have already included The Basilica of Saint Mary or The Basilica Landmark in your plans, thank you! Those who choose to include The Basilica or Basilica Landmark in their estate plans are invited to become part of our Legacy Society—a community of individuals who share a commitment to sustaining The Basilica for generations to come.
Membership in the Legacy Society is not about recognition; it is about belonging. It connects you with others who have made a similar commitment—people who see their faith not only as something to live today, but something to pass on. Through occasional gatherings, shared stories, and spiritual reflection, Legacy Society members celebrate the profound impact of this form of stewardship. You can find more information about planned giving resources and inspiring donor stories at mary.org/plannedgiving.
In every generation, this parish has been sustained by those who came before us—people of faith who gave not only for today, but for tomorrow.
Now, it is our turn.
Julie Craven
Marketing Chair