St. William parishioner Joan Elizabeth Kennedy left a bequest in her will to help the parish fund needed imrovements and establish an endowment for future needs. (Photo provided)MURPHY — For St. William Church in Murphy, help with overdue repairs and facility needs came in the form of a generous bequest of more than $850,000 from Joan Elizabeth Kennedy.
“Joan Kennedy’s bequest to the parish of St. William is not only an extraordinary act of generosity,” said Father Augustine Ogar, M.S.P. “I consider it also as an invisible hand of God’s providence.”
When Father Ogar arrived at St. William in 2025, securing funds to address overdue maintenance needs and support the parish’s growth were top priorities. Many facility projects had been deferred since the COVID-19 pandemic and needed immediate attention.
Through the bequest, St. William has completed the refurbishment of the Seiglie Center – the parish’s education building – just in time for upcoming faith formation classes. Renovations included a new HVAC system and kitchen appliances. Other facility updates, including a kitchen upgrade in the Seiglie Center along with roof, flooring and sanctuary improvements, are also underway.
“Most important of all, this bequest has allowed the parish to set up a new named endowment fund in Joan’s honor, to help secure its financial future,” Father Ogar added.
Kennedy died on Nov. 1, 2024. She was known for her devout faith and generous spirit toward people and animals. Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, she lived in Oklahoma, Kansas and Florida before settling in Murphy – a place she considered the perfect spot to retire. She became active in her church and participated in the choir and ministries that reached out to the sick.
Kennedy first learned about leaving a bequest at a diocese-sponsored estate planning seminar in 2000, where she explored ways to support her parish through her estate.
An estate planning seminar is an opportunity for parishioners to learn about ways to take care of themselves and loved ones through a properly executed will and estate plan. The Office of Planned Giving has hosted more than 150 such seminars across the diocese.
“Joan then requested a follow up brochure from one of the ‘Your Legacy’ newsletter mailers in 2001,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development.
For more than 25 years, Kennedy received informational materials about the benefits of estate planning from the Office of Planned Giving, and she decided to turn that information into action.
“Our diocese is blessed by the dedication of parishioners such as Joan Kennedy, who planned ahead by considering what they leave behind to the parishes and ministries that matter to them, said Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development. “It is through the realization of Joan’s thoughtful and generous gift to St. William, that her legacy of faith will be remembered forever.”
“St. William remains perpetually grateful for this bequest,” Father Ogar said.
— Courtney McLaughlin
Fund an endowment
Interested in setting up – or adding to – an endowment to benefit your parish or Catholic school? You can establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a trust or annuity, or a gift of real estate, life insurance, cash or securities.
For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or gmrhodes@rcdoc.