The Valley Catholic February 19, 2019 | Page 6

6 February 19, 2019 | The Valley Catholic COMMUNITY Plan now, So Your Loved Ones Don’t Have To By Kathy Fanger “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 preparation of tasks that serve to manage your assets and wishes if you should die or become incapacitated, and taking the steps to ensure your decisions can be carried out. Estate planning can be used to eliminate uncertainties over the ad- ministration of an estate, to maximize the value of the estate by reducing taxes and other expenses, and ultimately to protect family members and benefi cia- ries and honor one’s life legacy. What does Estate Planning include? Estate planning includes the follow- ing steps: Property Management; Wills & Trusts; Retirement Planning; Taxes; Investment Planning and Financial Protection; Legacy Gifts and Planned Giving; Advance Directives, Health Care Proxies, POLST; Pre-Planning Funeral, Purchasing Burial Property and Paying Fees. Financial Planning, Property Management, Wills & Testaments, Trusts, Taxes, Power of Attorney Generally, attorneys and fi nancial Father Ho Lung & Friends (FHF) is the music-arm of the Missionaries of the Poor (MOP), a lay Religious In- stitute of Brothers of Pontifi cal Right dedicated particularly to the corporal works of mercy to the least irrespective of creed, caste, race, nationality and culture. It was founded in the slums of advisors can help you plan and protect your monetary and property assets. These documents allow you to indicate your desired medical treatments at end-of-life and how you will want your assets to be distributed after death. They are legal documents that ensure your in- structions will be carried out. Whether your estate is large or small, these steps help you to thoughtfully protect your as- sets and give you peace in knowing that your loved ones are properly protected upon your death. Catholic Cemeter- ies off ers free Advance Directive and Estate Planning workshops. Our at- torney presenters off er complimentary consultation sessions to attendees and will also review existing documents for potential revisions. Pre-Plan Funeral and Purchase Burial Property Pre-planning your final resting place ensures that your last wishes will be fulfi lled and will relieve emotional and fi nancial stress on your family, leaving behind a welcome legacy of love and consideration. Catholic Cem- eteries off ers many options for your fi nal resting place that meet the needs of you and your loved ones. We off er aff ordable solutions and fi nancing for pre-need arrangements. Our planning guide will help you communicate your wishes for your funeral, including Vigil, Funeral Mass and Burial. Review and Update It is extremely important to review, update and communicate all your wishes and estate documents with your loved ones, doctors and attorney to make sure everything is up to date and based on current laws and personal situations. With your end-of-life plans in place, you can be at peace and continue liv- ing, loving, and focusing your life on relationships, not logistics. One day the Lord will call you home, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Come and share in your master’s happiness.” Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of San Jose will assist you in protecting your loved ones and your legacy. We bridge the gap before, during and after a death. We honor your life legacy by providing hope and compassion, peace of mind, and fi nancial stewardship in a beautiful resting place. Contact us for assistance and resources to help with all your end-of-life needs. Upcoming Workshops SOLACE – Soul + Grief Monthly Drop-in Grief Support Group Grounded in spirituality and faith February 27: 7 – 9 p.m (4 th Wed. each month) O’Connor Hospital Chapel, Main Entrance 2105 Forest Ave., San Jose. Father Ho Lung & Friends & “Praise Him!” Kingston, Jamaica in 1981 by Fr Rich- ard Ho Lung, formerly a Jesuit priest and a university professor. Its most important work is to conduct centres for the homeless and the abandoned in the ghettoes and slums or among the poorest of peoples. At present, the Missionaries of the Poor serve in 13 February 23, 2019 St. Simon Parish Hall 1860 Grant Rd. Los Altos From 6-9PM $35/Person- Includes Dinner Catered by Olive Garden & 10 games of Bingo For tickets & details visit www.svdp.org/bingo-past- fundraiser/ or call 408-249-2853 Prizes! Raffl e! Silent Auction! 10 ADDITIONAL BINGO CARDS WITH ORIGINAL COPY OF THIS AD! dioceses worldwide and run 24 centres for the homeless and the abandoned in such countries as Jamaica, East Timor, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Kenya, the Phil- ippines, Uganda and the US. FHF preceded the Missionaries of the Poor by some 12 years–founded by the same Father Richard Ho Lung– and is integral to the latter’s life and ministry to the least of our brothers and sisters. The group is made up of some of Jamaica’s fi nest singers, actors, dancers and musicians who off er their talent and time free of charge in service of the Gospel and the poor. The group has the following objectives: To proclaim the Gospel of Christ through music and songs. It is a concrete way through which MOP responds to t he Church’s call to “recommit all of her energies to a New Evangelization” where all her members are called to re-propose the Gospel “in new ardour, methods, and expressions.” To raise awareness on MOP’s Spiri- tuality and works among the poor and marginalized in society and thus Parking in the back lot, right of main entrance. Facilitator: Candee Lucas, M.A. Pastoral Ministries. We hope to create a sacred space for you to share your grieving. No RSVP necessary. Free. Sponsored by Catholic Cemeteries and O’Connor Hospital. Planning a Catholic Funeral March 16: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saint Joseph of Cupertino Parish – Community Center 10110 N. DeAnza Blvd., Cupertino Presenters: Father Christopher Bennett, Beddingfield Funeral Services and Catholic Cemeteries The Vigil, Funeral Mass and Com- mittal (graveside services) each have distinct purposes in the journey toward healing and wholeness. Come learn about the Church’s comforting Catholic rituals and prayers and the services and options off ered through a funeral home and Catholic Cemeteries. Give yourself and your loved ones the gift of peace of mind by having your end –of-life plans in place. For our free Legacy Planning Guide or information on our workshops, call [phone] or [email protected]. generate fi nancial support for the same. “Praise Him!” is a concert that puts together diff erent songs of praise in Jamaican and Caribbean rhythms like reggae, calypso and mento and cel- ebrates our being sons and daughters of God, called by our name. This rep- ertoire of songs is both profound and soul-searching while at the same time fi lled with joy and exaltation. This particular concert will be play- ing in at four Catholic churches in the San Jose area: • March 10 at Holy Family in San Jose • March 15 at Saint Maria Goretti in San Jose • March 16 at Saint Joseph in Fremont • March 17 at Saint Athanasius in Mountain View Proceeds will aid our various min- istries around the world, which serve more than 30,000 people on an annual basis. For tickets and further information, please contact Dr. Ngoc Nguyen at [email protected] or [phone].