Advance Planning for Catholics

Saturday, October 19, 2024
9:30 AM* — 12:00 PM
Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Vancouver

Registration now open — please RSVP below to reserve your spot!

About the presentation

This free presentation offers a Catholic perspective on wills, estates, wealth strategy, advance healthcare planning, legacy, meaningful funerals and sacred burials. Our expert presenters will share wisdom and practical advice you need to plan ahead with peace of mind. There will be time at the end for questions and answers.

Attendees of this Advance Planning presentation are eligible to receive:

Catholics benefit from 20% burial benefit toward their pre-need purchase of burial space at Gardens of Gethsemani, the only full-service Catholic Cemetery of the Archdiocese of Vancouver .
Free one-on-one consultation with a professional estate planner at a later date.

*Please note the following update to the schedule:

Doors open at 9:00 AM. There is also a daily Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Parish at 9:00 AM for those who wish to attend.
The seminar will begin at 9:30 AM.

Wealth Strategy Planning

This presentation encompasses more than Estate Planning! Wealth Strategy Planning takes a larger and broader approach. Though dealing with death and dying, its primary focus is on living; generating a strategic plan for your life, and that of your loved ones while you are alive. It is based on the premise that you love yourself and others, and want the best for all. The greatest expression of this love is the way in which you use your wisdom and wealth. If planning because you love others, you should ensure they receive what you want to give them, empowering their lives in the way a true legacy should – a gift of love which survives your mortality.

Speaker: Micheline Varas

As a business owner, Micheline Varas understands the importance of quality financial advice. This adds significant value to individuals and to their business. As well as serving her own clients, Micheline is a resource to financial advisors and large institutions, structuring creative, cost and tax effective risk mitigation solutions. To provide the best, Micheline works with the best! A specialist herself, she collaborates with experts in various financial and advisory fields to produce optimal plans. Her extensive experience in Living Benefits enabled Micheline to be the first recipient of the GBDS (Group Benefits Disability Specialist) designation in Canada, and a founding moderator for the Canadian Initiative for Elder Planning Studies. Micheline is a Top of the Table (MDRT – Million Dollar Round Table) member. She has written industry and non-industry publications, held various training and educational events and been a speaker at numerous national and international congresses. Micheline was named one of 50 Women of Influence in Canada’s insurance industry. Away from work, she is a foodie (whether cooking or eating) and loves a great glass of wine, especially when shared with others! She believes in paying it forward, making a difference, and living an impactful life.

Advance Healthcare Planning

This talk will offer a professional Catholic perspective on how to write your wishes and values for future healthcare treatment in the event you become incapable of deciding for yourself. Robert Breen will share practical tips and experiences on preventative measures and resources about advance healthcare planning.

Speaker: Robert Breen

Robert Breen, CD, OSJ, MSc, ICD.D. Bob has over 48 years in healthcare leadership including roles as a hospital CEO, a regional Chief Operating Officer, President of western Canada’s largest community clinical laboratory, Chief Project Officer of the BC Children’s and Women’s Redevelopment and CEO of a 275-bed faith-based campus of care for seniors.Bob is now the Executive Director of the Denominational Health Association and the Catholic Health Association of BC where he continues to work with faith-based health care providers. Bob spent 6 years on the Board of the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, including two years as the Chair. He has also been involved in youth sports for both soccer and hockey and currently serves as a board member of the Canadian Association of Long Term Care, SafeCare BC and Little Mountain Housing Society. A native of Saint John, NB, Bob completed his undergraduate studies at St. Mary’s University in Halifax and his MSc in Health Care Planning from UBC.

Planning Meaningful Funerals & Sacred Burial

This talk provides inspiration and practical information about the funeral rite and sacred burial. Making pre-need burial and funeral arrangements today ensures important decisions will not be made in a time of sorrow. Preparation is an act of care for the family.

Speaker: Peter Nobes

Peter Nobes is the Director of Catholic Cemeteries, a ministry of hope and healing. He will share insights and wisdom from his tenure managing the Gardens of Gethsemani. He’ll speak to the importance of preparation and how our Church offers hope and meaning in the beauty of the funeral Mass followed by sacred burial. Peter will offer insights from his thesis work, “Life without End.”

A Legacy - Planned Giving

This talk provides a perspective on the importance and benefits of Leaving a Legacy through Planned Giving. It defines Planned Giving as a future gift from your Estate. It describes the different Ways to Give and their attendant tax benefits. It brings the idea down to earth through concrete examples that will inspire you to consider giving a gift in your Will. It helps you appreciate who will benefit from your gift in the Archdiocese, the parishes, the charities, or ministries. You will receive a complimentary Estate and Memorial Planning Guide and online tools to help you plan.

Speaker: Georgia Gamboa

Georgia Gamboa serves as the Associate Director for Planned Giving at the Development Office of the Archdiocese of Vancouver. She holds a Masters Degree in Economics and brings over 33 years of experience in the Banking and Finance Industry, 13 years of which were in senior leadership roles. As a fundraiser, she trained with the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Canadian Association of Gift Planners. She is passionate about her work as a mission, having been a missionary family in Karachi, Pakistan for one year with her husband and two kids while they were in their mid-thirties. She enjoys serving the Church and is an active member of Church ministries, including the Ablaze Charismatic Prayer Group at St. Mary’s Parish and Opus Dei Recollections in Richmond.

If you have questions about the presentation, please contact Lea Antonatos at lantonatos@rcav.org or by calling 604-683-0281 ext. 324.