SHELBY — Father Michael Kottar, pastor of St. Mary Help of Christians Church, plans to leave a legacy for future priests of the Diocese of Charlotte – setting up an estate gift that will benefit seminarian education.
Father Kottar was ordained 24 years ago for the Diocese of Metuchen, N.J., and joined the Charlotte diocese in 1999.
Leaving a financial gift to the Church is one way he can express his gratitude for all those who financially supported his own journey to the priesthood, Father Kottar says. When he was in formation for the priesthood, he says, he didn’t have to worry about covering his expenses because his seminary education was fully funded by donors.
“In thanksgiving for my own priesthood, I wanted to make sure that in the future there will not be a hindrance to any young man becoming a priest,” he explains.
Father Kottar encourages others to consider making a gift to the Church in their will – especially since his financial advisor told him that people don’t think as much about leaving money to their church like they once did. “Wills are very important because we are leaving money to people we love, causes and organizations that we feel strongly about, and we want to continue that good work,” he says.
The Church, he points out, is there during the most significant times in our lives – administering the sacraments of initiation into the faith, teaching us about God and our vocation in life, witnessing marriages, and ministering to us when we’re sick or dying.
“There should be a thought in one’s mind to want to continue that work in the future. Show the importance of that by your putting that in your will.”
Gifts in any amount will help the work of the Church, he stresses. “It’s just simple things. Anything in a will that would show that a person wants the work of the Church to continue or even better, expand, is great.”
People who make a planned gift to the diocese or any of its parishes, schools, ministries or agencies, like Father Kottar has done, become members of the Catholic Heritage Society – the diocese’s way of honoring the generosity of those who are providing for the future of the Church in western North Carolina. The Catholic Heritage Society is comprised of more than 1,100 people, many of whom are leaving gifts to the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation in their wills.
“More and more people are remembering the Church in their wills and estate plans – not just parishioners, but also our priests,” said Jim Kelley, the diocese’s development director. “In fact, Father Kottar is one of eight priests alive who have told us they’re remembering the Church with financial gifts. Fifteen priests who have died have left estate gifts to the Church, nine of those being endowments in the diocesan foundation.
“We are so grateful for these priests who not only give their lives to help us get to heaven, but also continue giving after they’re gone.”
Since 1994, the foundation has distributed more than $9.2 million to the diocese and its parishes, schools and ministries.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
Learn more
Establish an endowment with the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in your will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a gift of real estate, or other arrangement such as a trust or annuity. For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..