The Mother Bernard Legacy Society

Why leave a charitable legacy gift? Why have I left a legacy gift to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange?

I'm not Catholic, I'm a Jew and a member of Temple Beth Shalom. The values that I have were engendered in me by my wonderful parents. They instilled in me the importance of being a righteous person to work hard, be grateful and give back to the community. In Hebrew, the philosophy is titled, L' dor v' dor or "from generation to generation". It's the same philosophy of life as standing on the shoulders of those that came before. It's about giving back and doing what we can to leave the world a little bit better for future generations.

Jews believe that only spiritual wealth has meaning. When we leave this life, we take nothing from our toil that we can carry in our hands as we are buried in a simple linen shroud in a pine box.

I am blessed to have a daughter that I have instilled the same values in as my parents gave to me. My daughter and I both want to leave legacy gifts to several organizations that have the same values as ourselves. We believe as the Sisters that a pioneer spirit, faith, foresight, and flexibility are core to a legacy.

I attended Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles. Before I attended, I had never met a Sister, a priest or been inside a Catholic church. I lived in a basement dorm room for four years sharing the floor with 7 Sisters of Saint Joseph including Sister Sharon Becker and Sister Pat Lipinski, who were both already professed and Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange. I spent 4 years seeing the Sisters' values demonstrated in their daily actions. The virtues of courage, justice, temperance, wisdom, and humility. I want to be a part of fostering these values into the future. The Sisters' mission of caring for the dear neighbor without distinction is a value dear to my heart. The Sisters speak of being Bridge Builders. They devote their lives to building relationships that bridge differences. Relationships and partnerships that tear down walls that divide us and unite us as one people. It is my goal to be a Bridge Builder of a different sort. One that builds a bridge into the next generation and beyond by leaving a legacy gift to support the mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange.

The Reasons I am leaving a legacy gift to the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange:

• It empowers me to further the work of my heart knowing that the traditions and values I cherish will carry on into the future
• It serves as a meaningful way for me to honor my loved ones and demonstrate to the next generation the value of philanthropy
• It allows me to preserve the programs and ministries of the dear Sisters here in the community and across the world where they serve our dear neighbors
• Perhaps the most important, a legacy gift allows me to pass on the values instilled by my parents and grandparents for generations to come

I think common misconceptions about legacy gifts is that it is complicated, and it must be of a "significant" amount. A simple gift of cash of any amount is a beautiful way to remember the Sisters and help to continue their legacy. It's a responsibility and a privilege to seed the garden for future dear neighbors.

I ask that you listen with a discerning heart to leave a legacy gift. The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange are celebrating 100 years of selfless service in 2022. What a perfect time to establish a lasting legacy to honor you and your family by making a difference for the generations to come. Won't you please join me and say yes to the Mother Bernard Legacy Society?

Shalom and Toda Raba

Patti Widdicombe