GIFT PLANNER
MESSAGE FROM THE
ARCHABBOT
My Dear Friends,
At Saint Meinrad, we believe that giving in gratitude is central to the Christian life. Each day, we monks strive to give of ourselves and draw closer to God through our prayer, work, and life together in community. We join you, our brothers and sisters in Christ, in the hope that united in faith, our praise and thanksgiving may be pleasing to the God who created us and calls us to Himself.
As this fresh new look of The Gift Planner points out, thoughtful end-of-life planning is also a meaningful way to give, expressing gratitude to God. End-of-life planning is a final act of stewardship and a way to support the people and ministries that formed our faith. As followers of Christ, we trust that in our passing, life on earth is not ended but fulfilled for all eternity. This truth gives deeper meaning to these final gifts. Giving of ourselves continues as we enter into life eternal.
We were reminded of this in the recent passing of Fr. Germain Swisshelm, OSB. He was a faithful monk and master carpenter whose craftsmanship of such items as frames, lecterns, and handmade pieces found across our Archabbey continues to serve our community. His work remains a lasting sign of his self giving spirit.
Through your support and planning for the future, you help ensure that Saint Meinrad’s mission endures for generations to come. Thank you for sharing yourself and your gifts with us, both now and forever.
As followers of Christ, we trust that in our passing, life on earth is not ended but fulfilled for all eternity. This truth gives deeper meaning to these final gifts. Giving of ourselves continues as we enter into life eternal.
—Rt. Rev. Kurt Stasiak, OSB
Planning for Eternal Life
A CATHOLIC APPROACH TO END-OF-LIFE AND ESTATE PLANNING
Preparing for the end of life is one of the most loving acts a Christian can offer to family, friends, and the Church. Far from being an exercise in fear or anxiety, end-of-life planning reflects the Catholic call to live as faithful stewards of the gifts God has entrusted to us. The Rule of St. Benedict teaches stability, discipline, and foresight, virtues that speak directly to the responsibility of planning our final affairs with clarity and charity.
Saint Meinrad’s Benedictine tradition approaches death not as an end, but as a holy passage to our eternal home. Good planning becomes an act of spiritual preparation for our eternal home, a final testimony of faith, and a blessing to those left behind.
Stewardship as a Final Witness of Faith
The Church reminds us that all we possess ultimately belongs to God. As stewards, we use these gifts— relationships, finances, time, and talent—to build up the Body of Christ. Thoughtful end-of-life planning expresses gratitude for God’s blessings and supports the people and ministries that have shaped our spiritual journey.
Saint Meinrad Archabbey embodies this understanding of stewardship through its commitments to hospitality, prayer, community, and service. Many benefactors make Saint Meinrad part of their legacy because they desire these values to endure into the future.
Key Elements of Catholic End-of-Life and Estate Planning
1.
Living Will and Advance Directives
A living will outlines your wishes for medical treatment consistent with Catholic teaching—affirming the dignity of life, avoiding euthanasia, and allowing natural death with appropriate care.
2. Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
Designate a trusted person to make decisions if you cannot. Choose someone who understands and supports Catholic moral principles.
3. Funeral and Burial Plans
Planning your funeral Mass, readings, music, and burial arrangements provides clarity for your family and reflects your hope in the Resurrection.
4. Last Will and Testament / Trust
A will ensures your assets are distributed according to your values. Keep it updated and name a reliable executor. Establishing a trust can provide security and avoid probate court for end-of-life charitable giving.
5. Charitable and Bequest Giving
A bequest to your parish, Catholic ministries, or Saint Meinrad Archabbey is a meaningful way to support the Church beyond your lifetime. Options include specific gifts, percentages, or residual bequests.
6. Beneficiary Designations
Retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and financial accounts often require separate beneficiary forms and can be directed toward family or charitable organizations, such as Saint Meinrad.
A Legacy Rooted in Faith
Thoughtful planning is a final act of love. It ensures that your spiritual legacy continues through the lives of those you touch and the ministries you support.
If you would like additional language for wills, guidance on bequests, or more information, Saint Meinrad’s Planned Giving Office is ready to help.
Additional Resources
Gift planning saintmeinradgiftplanning.org
Funeral resources abbeycaskets.com
A Catholic Guide to Advance Directives (Indiana Catholic Conference) indianacc.org
Free Estate Planning Seminar at the 2026 Saint Meinrad Alumni Reunion alumni.saintmeinrad.edu/ reunion/
For more information, scan the QR code or contact Brian Doyle at: 800-682-0988 or plannedgiving@saintmeinrad.edu.
To Give is to Live in God, Now and Forever
BRIAN DOYLE, DIRECTOR OF PLANNED GIVING
Giving is an act of abandonment and selflessness, a willingness to empty ourselves for the sake of another. The mother who gives of herself in pregnancy and at the birth of her child, the firefighter who willingly offers herself in sacrifice to save another person from the inferno, the monk who gives up control, possessions, and family life to live in austerity and obedience, are all examples of what it means to give. However, giving is not merely an action, but a way of being, one that reflects the deepest truth of who God is and who we are created to be. In giving, we step beyond self-interest and into love. In giving, we participate in the very life of God.
At its heart, giving is profoundly trinitarian. God is not solitary; God is communion. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist in an eternal exchange of love—fluid, constant, and self-giving. Each Person of the Trinity is fully present to the others, holding nothing back. This
divine love is never possessed or hoarded; it is always shared. The mystery of the Trinity reveals that life itself is a gift, and love is meant to be given freely.
As followers of Christ, this is the life to which we are called.
When we give, whether through our time, our resources, our compassion, or our talents, we mirror the relational nature of God. Our giving becomes more than generosity; it becomes participation. We join in the sacred rhythm of divine love that flows outward, creating and sustaining life. In this way, giving is not separate from faith; it is a living expression of faith.
Saint Meinrad offers an environment to learn who God is and who we are in relationship to God. Through prayer, community, service, and acts of generosity, we are formed and transformed. We come to understand that to be in
relationship with God and with one another is to give of ourselves. Love cannot remain abstract; it must take flesh in action.
This journey of relationship reaches its fulfillment in eternal life, where our participation in God’s love is made complete. Yet even now, we are invited to live that eternal reality in the present moment. Each act of giving, no matter how small, becomes a step into that divine life.
To live is to give.
To love is to give.
To be in relationship with others and with God is to give.
In embracing generosity, we do not lose ourselves but discover who we truly are. Giving draws us more deeply into the life of God, where love is endlessly received and endlessly shared. ◆
“Estate Planning now for the future is a wonderful gift to give. If you’ve already remembered Saint Meinrad in your will or would like to learn how, just fill out and return the enclosed reply card. We’d love to hear from you! Your giving helps Saint Meinrad form future leaders of faith for years to come.”
—Brian Doyle, Director of Planned Giving
