Photo: The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde, Mo., have unveiled a beautiful new memorial dedicated to donors who have shared their generosity with the group of religious women since their founding in 1874.
(CLYDE, Mo.) - A new memorial dedicated to donors to the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration has been unveiled at their monastery in Clyde, Mo.
The Bread of Life Legacy Society was established in 2011 to honor people who name the Benedictine Sisters as beneficiaries in a will, life insurance policy or charitable trust.
The new memorial includes inscribed names on two large, polished granite stones flanking the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue on the west side of the monastery’s main entrance.
“This memorial allows us the opportunity to visibly share our gratitude for those who have chosen to support our sisters throughout the years,” said Sister Dawn Annette Mills, OSB, director of development.
Sisters selected the name of the society to reflect their distinctive dedication to the Eucharist and how Jesus chose to leave his legacy with the world, leaving us his final gift in the form of the Eucharistic mystery, Sister Dawn Annette said.
In addition to inclusion on the permanent memorial, members will be remembered in a special celebration of the Eucharist on Nov. 25 as part of the month-long “Prayer of Remembrance.”
The Benedictine Sisters arrived in the northwest Missouri area in 1874 and will celebrate the 140th anniversary of their American founding next year.
“The beauty of the Bread of Life society is that it automatically includes anyone who has made a gift to the sisters over the many years,” Sister Dawn Annette said.
These planned gifts are used to fulfill the general needs of the Congregation unless specified for a specific purpose. These needs include the care of sisters and the education of those in formation. Most recently, a portion of the funds was used for the Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories project, a massive renovation of the century-old motherhouse that included the addition of air conditioning and ADA-accessible areas.
“It was, in part, because of the generosity and foresight of those who remember us in their charitable giving that we could undergo a project of that magnitude,” Sister Dawn Annette said. “It is important that we include everyone who qualifies for entrance into this very special group. We ask those who know of a loved one who may have included us in their planned giving - no matter how many years have passed - to contact us to ensure they are included in the Bread of Life society and their name inscribed on the memorial.”
For more information, please contact Sister Dawn Annette at (660) 944-2221 or dawn@benedictinesisters.org or visit the BSPA planned giving site.
How do I join? You are included simply by notifying us that you have remembered our Congregation as a beneficiary in your will or life insurance or that you have named us in a charitable trust.
My family member gave a planned gift to the Benedictine Sisters. Can he/she be included? Yes, we include those who were generous enough to leave us a planned gift before we formed the Bread of Life Legacy Society. Please contact us with the names of your loved ones, and we will include them in all remembrances and on the new memorial.
Why should I join the Bread of Life Legacy Society? There are no meetings or dues. The Bread of Life Legacy Society allows us to thank you now for a gift that may not come to fruition for years. You can support the Benedictine Sisters while receiving significant tax benefits as well as serving as an inspiration to others by supporting our ministry of prayer.
Where can I learn more? Contact Sister Wilmarie Ehrhardt, OSB at (660) 944-2271, email gifts@benedictinesisters.org or visit the BSPA planned giving website. You may also wish to contact your own attorney or financial advisor to discuss the many tax advantages and opportunities related to planned giving for charitable purposes. |
