At the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania, we believe in planning not just for the present, but for eternity. Estate planning is one of the most meaningful ways Catholics can express their love for family, faith, and the causes that have shaped their lives.
And yet, for many, it is a conversation they avoid out of fear of confronting uncomfortable topics like death, legal documents or thinking “I don’t have enough money for an estate plan” or “Everything just goes to my kids, right?”
“There are many misconceptions,” said Beth Beers, a Catholic estate planning attorney from Bath, PA. “Estate planning is not about how much you have, but about how you want to care for the people and causes you love after you are gone.”
“Even a small gift through your will or insurance policy can make a lasting difference,” Beers said.
Helping Individuals and Families With Catholic Estate Planning
At the Catholic Foundation, we help individuals and families understand and embrace estate planning or planned giving through free workshops at various locations in the Diocese. The Catholic Foundation partnered recently with the Mercy School for Special Learning in Allentown to conduct an Estate Planning Workshop for Mercy parents, board members and donors. Jim Ritter, a Catholic estate planning attorney from Emmaus, led the session. Ritter answered questions about selecting power of attorney and executorships, preparing a will, understanding probate, maximizing tax benefits, and planning your Catholic funeral.
“These sessions are more than educational,” Ritter said. “They are spiritual and emotional touchpoints. They provide a pressure-free space to ask questions, learn the truth, and confidently prepare for the future.”
One of the most powerful aspects of our Estate Planning Sessions is watching fears melt away. People often walk in, unsure and hesitant. But they leave informed, relieved, and empowered. There is no pressure to make a decision. These sessions are simply about providing information that is accurate, local, and grounded in Catholic values and delivered compassionately by experts who care.
About Our Professional Advisors Committee
The Catholic Foundation has organized a Professional Advisors Committee made up of Catholic attorneys, financial planners, investment professionals and accountants. These advisors counsel clients during various life stages and guide them in making important decisions regarding income, assets, tax benefits from charitable giving, and long-term planning.
In addition to Beers and Ritter, other members of the Catholic Foundation’s Professional Advisors Committee include:
- Tim Duckworth, Jr. an estate planning attorney in Bethlehem
- Bill Kirwan, an accountant and attorney in Pottsville
- Mike Matejcek, a financial planner in Allentown
- Eugene Orlando, an estate planning attorney in Reading
- Beth Beers, an estate planning attorney in Bath.
- Jim Ritter, an estate planning attorney in Emmaus
The committee would like to expand its membership to include all Catholic advisors in Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties.
“We are blessed to have experienced Catholic professionals who know their field of expertise and love their Catholic faith,” said Pete Waldron, president of the Catholic Foundation. “They help people realize the positive impact planning can have on yourself, your family, and the Catholic causes you love.”
How Can You Find Out More About Planned Giving With the Catholic Foundation?
PLANNED GIVING OPTIONS
- Gift in a will
- Beneficiary of an insurance policy
- Beneficiary of an investment account
- IRA qualified charitable distribution
- Memorial gift included in an obituary
- Beneficiary of an IRA or 401K account
- Beneficiary of Donor Advised Fund (DAF)
With only 30 percent of individuals having a will or a Catholic estate plan, the work done by professional advisors is needed. A Catholic estate plan can be created easily, revised when needed, and provides priceless peace of mind. It tells your loved ones how to honor your Catholic values — from your funeral plans to your charitable gifts.
This is not just about paperwork. It is about your legacy of faith. It is about ensuring that the Catholic causes you championed during your life can continue serving others after you are gone.
“We feel grateful and humbled to be part of this deeply personal journey with our Catholic partners and donors,” Waldron said.
Interested in attending or hosting an Estate Planning Workshop? Do you want to learn more about the impact endowment funds have on the future of our Catholic faith? Email us at [email protected].