Our Lady Flight Into Egypt ~ Mary is honoured as the Chief Patron of our Diocese of Port Elizabeth. In accordance with the official liturgical Pastoral Guide it is therefore elevated to a solemnity (big feast) for the local church and celebrated on the Sunday that occurs on 4th February or between the 4th and 10th February each year.

please support and give to your church in your will

LOOK AFTER:
YOUR FAMILY
YOUR RELATIVES
YOUR CHURCH

What is a Will?

At the time of death of a loved one, the family is so devastated that they cannot think of "trivial" matters such as a Will.
But it is an important document which enables you to direct where your money and posessions are to go after your death.

Why make a Will?

It is very important to make a Will, for the following reasons:

1. If you do not make a Will you cannot be sure that your property will go where you intend after your death;

2. If you have no relatives and you do not make a Will your estate will go to the State;

3. Making a Will helps those you have entrusted to carry out your wishes more easily;

4. Any gift that you make in your Will to a charity is exempt from all inheritance tax;

5. Finally, it is not expensive to make a Will and you are recommended to use the services of a solicitor.

THROUGH YOUR LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT...

YOU can help those deprived and less fortunate, to learn of God's infinite love and compassion.

"Give to others, and God will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands - all that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you." Luke 6:38

YOU YOURSELF, LORD, REWARD EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS
Ps. 62

WHY THINK OF LEAVING A LEGACY TO THE CHURCH?

After considering your family and friends in your Will, why not think of teving a gift to the family of the Church? It is a way of thanking God for the blessings you have received during you life and a wonderful way of ensuring that the faith and values we cherish will be carried on in the future.

HOW WILL YOUR BEQUEST HELP?

For example, your gift could be used for the following purposes:

1. To care for the aged; the poor and those in need of any kind;
2. To provide for the formation and training of priests;
3. The extension of the Catholic Church;
4. To assist poor parishes;
5. To extend special ministries;
6. Any purpose which the Bishop in his discretion may think fit.

WHAT CAN YOU BEQUEATH?

Your gift can be either in:

cash - immovable property - jewellery - furniture - clothing - insurance policies - investments

RESIDUE:

If you have no family / relatives to whome you wish to leave the whole or residue (balance) of your Estate you may consider leaving this to the Church e.g. "I leave the whole of the remainder of my Estate to the Bishop of the Diocese of Port Elizabeth to be used at his discretion."

SOME SIMPLE STEPS

Regardless of wealth, health or stage of life, everyone over the age of 18 needs an up-to-date, valid Will for peace of mind, and to ensure that hard-earned assets go to personally chosen benificiaries. Here are some points to consider when making or changing your Will.

Consult an expert. Qualified attorneys and financial advisors are there to help you make your Will as effective as possible;
Compile a detailed list of all your assets, movable and immovable property, investments, shares, trusts, jewellery, antiques, insurance policies and cash;
Draw up a list of people and organisations who are to be your beneficiaries;
If there are minor children, select a suitable guardian;
Choose one or more Executors who will carry our your wishes and adninister your estate;
Include any special wishes or conditions;
Try to make provision for cash to be immediately available to your family - the legal process involved in winding up an estate can be lengthy;
Bear in mind that life and circumstances are ever changing, and review your Will to accommodate a change, but simply add a Codicil. Private unwitnessed changes may invalidate the whole Will.
Keep your Will in a safe place and make sure your family and attorney know where to find it.

A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP MICHAEL COLEMAN

One of the blessings in our Diocese is the care, efficiency and responsibility with which our financial and legal affairs are managed.
Wjithout this support our life of worship, service and evangelisation would grind to a halt very quickly.
Against that background, I confidently commend to you this way of leaving a bequest to the Church and so ensuring the financial resources needed to foster in our time and in the future, the faith we have received from our Lord.

+ Michael Coleman
Bishop of Port Elizabeth

WILL YOU HELP?
For further information, please contact:
Mr. FRANK WIGHTMAN
DIOCESAN CHANCERY
10 PARK LANE
CENTRAL 6001
PORT ELIZABETH
Phone: 041 373 2584 Email

Remember the Diocese in your will. Read more...