Become a Member of the Perpetual Light Society

Jesus told us, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Will you help be that light to the world through Jesus Christ?

What is the Perpetual Light Society?

The Perpetual Light Society within the Diocese of Winona-Rochester is a exclusive group of faithful Catholics who have chosen to plant a powerful seed in an endowment that will ultimately unsure the future of the Catholic faith is secure in Southern Minnesota. We offer deep gratitude for your consideration in joining the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota’s Perpetual Light Society. Choosing to become a member reflects your devotion to the Catholic Church in Southern Minnesota, both now and beyond your lifetime.

Learn more about the ways you can support Christ’s mission of teaching, serving and healing here locally.

The Two Ways to Join the Perpetual Light Society

You may become a member of the Perpetual Light Society through a gift of $1,000 or more towards an endowment today or the commitment of a future gift of $1,000 or more through your estate. Our goal is to lift up the Catholic faith in Southern Minnesota, so we have not placed any constraints on which endowments you give to or who manages the funds. All that matters is that you give local and you give Catholic!

Give Today to an Endowment

Endowments are a lasting expression of hope for the Catholic ministries we hold dearest to our hearts. They allow for a future, ongoing revenue stream to maintain ministries long after our passing.

Vehicles for Giving Today

• Appreciated stock
• Donor Advised Funds
• Charitable Gift Annuities
• Qualified Charitable Distributions through Retirement Accounts
• Real Estate

Commit to Giving Through Your Estate

When you give $1,000 towards an endowment through your estate you help provide a perpetual revenue stream for your beneficiary.

You Decide How Your Estate Gift Can Be Used:

• Unrestricted Gift: Select a beneficiary and allow them to decide how and when to use the gift (preferred).

• Restricted Gift: Support a specific cause or purpose close to your heart. We suggest speaking with your charity first to ensure the restrictions are reasonably able to be followed.

Members of the Perpetual Light Society report many reasons for making the choice to give Catholic in their estate, including:

• Passing on the tradition of the Catholic faith to family and loved ones for generations.
• Giving witness to family and friends about the importance of the Catholic faith while, at the same time, blessing the lives of others who will benefit from this generosity.
• Strengthening and supporting the mission of their local Church, school or cemetery.
• Reducing estate taxes, allowing your hard-earned assets to go towards your charity, rather than taxes.
• They can continue to use their assets during their lifetime

Types of Bequests (Gifts Through a Will):

• Specific: Select a specific asset or specific dollar amount to give.
• Percentage: Select a specific percentage of an asset or overall estate.
• Residual: A residual bequest is made from the balance of your estate after specific bequests have been given. For example, you may give 30% of your residual estate to your charity.
• Contingent: Bequest is made to a charity ony if a primary bequest cannot be met. For example, you leave a vacation home to a relative, but if that relative has passed, the vacation home will go to the Foundation for the benefit of your parish.

Get sample legal language for your will here.

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Become a Member by Making a Gift to a Local Catholic Endowment:

Endowments are a lasting expression of hope for the Catholic ministries we hold dearest to our hearts. They allow for a future, ongoing revenue stream to maintain ministries long after our passing. For these reasons we have challenged every single parish and Catholic organization in our diocese to create an endowment by 2030. Will you join us in this movement? Become a member of the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota’s Perpetual Light Society and solidify our Catholic future by giving to one of the following endowments.

Your local parish, school, cemetery or other Catholic organization:

• Give to an existing endowment
• Or work with us to help create a new endowment for your parish if they do not have one yet
• Design the legacy you desire by working with the Foundation to establish your own (named or anonymous) endowment for a particular cause or benefit

Catholic Foundation’s Community Funds:

• Salt and Light Endowment: Established in 2026, this endowment was designed to address the changing needs in our Diocese. Using diocesan-wide listening exercises, new priorities are set every 4-5 years by the Foundation Board to address the most timely and important needs: From seminarian education and evangelization to food shelves and family assistance, this fund allows you to make a lasting impact towards the day’s most pressing needs. Learn more about the Salt & Light Endowment here. 
• Witness of Hope Endowment: This fund was established by the Foundation in December 2025 using the earnings from a high performing market year, allowing us to pour back into our local Catholic community. This fund was designed to address urgent ministry or social needs throughout the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Grants of $150 to $2,000 are recommended by Deanery Leaders and Pastor’s based on their intimate knowledge of their local communities. Applications are typically not accepted except in special circumstances to support implementation of the Bishop’s ministerial priorities. Learn more about the Witness of Hope Endowment here.
• Seeds of Faith - Tuition Assistance Endowment: The Seeds of Faith Tuition Assistance Grant supports Diocese of Winona-Rochester families who desire a faith-based Catholic education for their K-12 children but need financial assistance. In the 2025-26 school year, Seeds of Faith–Tuition Assistance awarded more than $150,000 to over 250 families. Just as a seed requires care and attention to grow, students thrive when they are given access to an environment that supports both learning and faith formation. Learn more about the Seeds of Faith Endowments here.
• Seeds of Faith - Faith Formation Endowment: The Seeds of Faith - Faith Formation Grant provides support to the training, mentoring, and development of lay ministers, as well as projects and initiatives that seek to evangelize and catechize God’s People within the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Learn more about the Seeds of Faith Endowments here.

Other Catholic Causes:

• Catholic Charities Endowment: From care of mothers and children to serving the homeless and immigrants, ensure your local Catholic charitable arm, Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota, will be able to serve our community needs in perpetuity. Learn more about Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota here. 
• Diocese of Winona-Rochester Endowments: Ensure the multitude of diocesan ministries continue to support individuals and local parishes in perpetuity. Learn more about the ministries of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester here. 
• Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary (IHMS): For over a half century, the programs at IHMS have been forming men of mature human quality and deep spirituality. Each man is given the space to grow as a disciple of Jesus and to learn to listen closely to His own call in their life. Help maintain this institution and ensure the future of the Sacraments in Southern Minnesota. Learn more about IHMS here.
• Newman Centers: Give towards the Winona or Mankato Newman Center endowments to see life-changing evangelism live on in our local college campuses.

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Let Us Honor Your Endowment Gift

As a way to say thank you for your membership in the Perpetual Light Society, you will receive:

• A membership certificate signed by the Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester
• Recognition in our online and annual print publication of Perpetual Light Society members
• Invitations to appreciation events
• A Mass said in your honor by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminarians

Simply complete the gift intention form and return it to us to join the society.

Note we are current accepting Founding Member Gifts and Estate Pledges during the calendar years of 2026, 2027, 2028. These members will give a gift of $500,000 or more and be honored in multiple formats as the lead donors in perpetuity.