Start the year with a plan for the future.
A new year brings with it a natural pause — a moment to reflect on what truly matters, to give thanks for the blessings we’ve received, and to look ahead with intention and hope. For many, January is a time for fresh starts and thoughtful planning. It’s also a meaningful opportunity to consider the legacy we hope to leave behind.
A legacy is more than what we accumulate over a lifetime. It is how our faith, values, and gratitude continue to bear fruit — for our families, our communities, and the Church — long after we are gone.
Estate and legacy planning often rise to the surface during seasons of reflection: a new year, a milestone birthday, a life event, or a renewed desire to live with purpose. Planning ahead offers peace of mind — the confidence that loved ones will be cared for and that the ministries closest to your heart will continue their mission into the future.
Planned giving is one way to approach this thoughtfully and prayerfully. It allows you to align your financial plans with your faith, ensuring that what God has entrusted to you continues to serve others.
Planned giving doesn’t have to be complicated. For many, it begins with small but meaningful steps, such as:
These decisions, made quietly and intentionally, can have a profound and lasting impact.
If you haven’t reviewed your estate plans recently — or if you’ve never created a will — the start of the year is an ideal time to begin. A simple review can ensure your plans still reflect your wishes, your family’s needs, and your faith.
To make this easier, we offer a free, secure online will tool that allows you to create or update a simple will at no cost and on your own timeline. Many people use it as a first step in the planning process, even if they later choose to work with an attorney.
Those who have included a gift in their estate plans for a parish, Catholic school, or other Catholic ministry within the Diocese of Lansing are honored through membership in the Immaculate Conception Legacy Society. Membership is simply our way of expressing gratitude, ensuring intentions are understood, and offering ongoing prayers for members and their loved ones.
A new year is an invitation — to live with purpose, to plan with care, and to trust that God will continue the work He has begun in us. Whether you are just starting to think about the future or are ready to take the next step, thoughtful planning is a gift to those you love and to the Church you cherish.
As you begin this year, may you be filled with peace, clarity, and the quiet confidence that comes from planning well — and from building a legacy rooted in faith.
Start the year with a plan for the future.
