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COMMUNITY
By Nicole Lecheler
“ Do not store up treasures on earth , but store up treasures in heaven . For where your treasure is , there will your heart be also .” Matthew 6:19-21
Estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging , during a person ’ s life , for their end-of-life and death . Estate planning can be used to eliminate uncertainties over the administration of an estate , to maximize the value of the estate by reducing taxes and other expenses , and ultimately to protect family members and beneficiaries and honor one ’ s life legacy . Estate planning includes the following steps : Property Management ; Wills & Trusts ; Retirement Planning ; Taxes ; Investment Planning and Financial Protection ; Legacy Gifts and Planned Giving ; Advance Directives , Health Care Proxies , POLST ; Final Expense Insurance ; Pre-Planning Funeral and Burial , Purchasing Burial Property and Paying Fees .
Estate planning can be a daunting task , and there are certainly components that no one likes to talk about . Catholic Cemeteries can help you and your family navigate the ins and outs of estate planning .
Advance Directives , Health Care Proxy and POLST An advance health care directive , health care proxy and POLST allows you to communicate and control the type of care , medical procedures you want provided or withheld , and who can make medical decisions for you in the event of an incapacitating illness or injury . Catholic Cemeteries offers workshops to assist you in filling out these
Are You Prepared ? Planning Your Legacy With Love
important documents , and can provide assistance with making these tough decisions in accordance with Catholic Social Teaching .
Final Expense Insurance
Final Expense Insurance makes certain that those you love are protected against financial hardship in case of death , and is vitally important . A traditional final expense insurance policy is used to pay for funeral expenses . Upon your death , your beneficiary would be responsible for using the available funds from your final expense insurance to pay for your funeral . Catholic Cemeteries offers final expense insurance and annuity products that help you protect your priorities and can assist with long term care issues and funeral expenses , so your loved ones don ’ t have to worry about the financial burden associated with end-of-life and death .
Pre-plan Funeral and Purchase Burial Property
Pre-planning your final resting place ensures that your last wishes will be fulfilled and will relieve emotional and financial stress on your family , leaving behind a welcome legacy of love and consideration . Catholic Cemeteries offers many options for your final resting place that meets the needs of you and your loved ones . We offer affordable solutions and financing for pre-need arrangements . Our planning guide will help you communicate your wishes for your funeral , including Vigil , Funeral Mass and Burial .
Financial Planning , Wills & Testaments , Trusts , Taxes , Power of Attorney , Property Management
Generally , attorneys and financial advisors can help you plan and protect
your monetary and property assets . Most of these plans and instructions allow you to indicate how you want your assets to be distributed at end-of-life and after death and assures these instructions will be carried out . Whether your estate is large or small , these steps help you to thoughtfully protect your assets and give you peace in knowing that your loved ones are properly provided for upon your death . Catholic Cemeteries offers free Estate Planning workshops . Our attorney presenters offer complimentary sessions to attendees and will review documents for potential revisions .
Review and Update
It is extremely important to review , update and communicate all your wishes and estate documents with your loved ones and attorney to make sure everything is up to date and current based on current laws and personal situations .
Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of San Jose bridges the gap before , during and after the death of a loved one . Honoring a life legacy by providing hope and compassion , peace of mind , and financial stewardship in a beautiful resting place . Let us assist you in protecting your loved ones and your legacy . Catholic Cemeteries can provide assistance and resources to help with all your Estate Planning needs . Contact Catholic Cemeteries for our Legacy Planning Guides or for more information on our available workshops .
February 20 , 2018 | The Valley Catholic
Planning Your Christian Funeral February 21 , 7 - 8 p . m . Holy Family Parish Community Center 4848 Pearl Ave ., San Jose Presenter : Fr . Christopher Bennett Come learn of the history and comfort of our Catholic Funeral Rituals ( Vigil , Mass and Committal ) and the services and options at Catholic Cemeteries . Pre-planning gives peace of mind to yourself and your loved ones . Free .
Solace – Soul + Grief Monthly Drop-in Grief Support Group February 28 , 7 – 9 p . m . ( Third Wednesday of each month ) O ’ Connor Hospital Chapel 2105 Forest Ave ., San Jose Facilitator : Candee Lucas , M . A . Pastoral Ministries Each month we will use a different scripture as a seed for our sharing , discussion and support . We hope to create a sacred space for you to share your grieving . No RSVP necessary . Free .
Advance Directives March 3 , 10 a . m . – 12 p . m . Saint Joseph of Cupertino Parish 10110 N . DeAnza Blvd . Cupertino Presenter : Cindy Safe Learn about this essential document which every person 18 years of age and older should have . It names the person ( s ) to speak and carry out medical wishes if you are unable to do so . Cindy Safe discusses important considerations and case studies and guides you step by step through a sample form . Free .
For more information contact Kathy Fanger ( 650 ) 428-3730 x508 or cemeteryinfo @ dsj . org .
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Rest in Peace , Sister Mary ( Marie Thomasine ) Lonich , SNDdeN January 17 , 1924 – January 16 , 2018
We remember with gratitude the life of Sister Mary ( Marie Thomasine ) Lonich , who was a Sister of Notre Dame for 71 years . She died peacefully at Mercy Retirement and Care Center the day before her 94th birthday .
The eldest of three children in a Croatian-speaking home , she learned English at school , then tutored her younger brother and sister . A special joy for Sister Mary was travelling to Croatia in 1982 .
Mary graduated from Notre Dame Elementary and Notre Dame High School in San Francisco and San Francisco State before becoming a Sister of Notre Dame . She later received a Master ’ s degree in Education from the University of San Francisco . She remained active in the NDSF Alumnae Association , and , for many years , enjoyed giving tours of her favorite city .
Sister Mary was a creative teacher , principal and viceprincipal in Notre Dame schools in California and Oregon . Two of her favorite assignments were her 10 years at Saint Joseph Elementary in Alameda and 12 years at Sacred Heart Elementary in Saratoga .
Sister Mary had a great appreciation for beauty , and shared her artistic , culinary and gardening talents in every community where she lived and every school where she served . She had a gift for choosing colors , arranging flowers or a room , cooking and serving food . She shared her gifts with the community at the Notre Dame Province Center in Belmont the past fourteen years , before moving to Mercy Retirement and Care Center .
Sister Mary was well-loved , and will be deeply missed by her sister-in-law , Connie Lonich , her beloved niece and nephews Mary J . Lonich , Michael ( Lisa ) Lonich , Keith ( Deborah ) Bauer ; grandnieces and nephews Andy , Ryan and Michael Lonich , Jennifer and Cameron Bauer , and by many long-time friends , former students and her Sisters of Notre Dame .