Diocese establishes Greteman Legacy Society

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Posted May 15, 2003

CARROLL - The late Bishop Frank H. Greteman was known for his devotion to nurturing stewardship in the Diocese Sioux City. With that in mind, when the diocese decided to establish an honor roll of parishioners who have made a financial commitment to the church through a planned gift, it appeared fitting that it be named The Bishop Greteman Legacy Society.

Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo will unveil this new program with a special ceremony to be held May 21 at the Bishop Greteman Center of Holy Spirit Church in Carroll.

"We wanted to do something in the diocese that recognized the contributions that Bishop Greteman made to the church during his tenure as bishop of the diocese," explained Jim Wharton, director of stewardship and planned giving. "Bishop Greteman really personified the concept of stewardship. He was a very strong proponent of the need for people to support their church. He knew that the only way our parishes and schools would survive would be with the help of the faithful."

According to Mary Lex, Bishop Greteman's sister who resides in Carroll, her brother was always interested in stewardship, even as a pastor.

"We feel that it definitely a fitting tribute to him," said Lex, who extended gratitude to Wharton and Bishop DiNardo for remembering her brother in that way.

Out of the 14 Greteman children, all three of the living siblings will be present at the May 21 ceremony along with other relatives. In addition to Lex, are sisters Margaret Greteman of Carroll and Leonilla Hamilton of South Bend, Ind.

Bishop Greteman was born in 1907 on Christmas Day. His home parish was St. Mary's Parish in Willey. He was the first Iowa priest to serve as bishop of the diocese in which he was born.

"From the very beginning, the bishop's sisters have been very enthusiastic and supportive of what we are trying to do," said Wharton. "They believe it is a fitting tribute and say that Bishop Greteman would have endorsed what we are attempting to do."

The Greteman Legacy Society honors those who have made a planned gift to any entity of the diocese such as individual parishes, Catholic schools, Catholic Charities, the Catholic School Foundation and other institutions associated with the Diocese of Sioux City.

A planned gift includes a bequest through a will, charitable gift annuity, life insurance policy, life estate agreement and charitable remainder trust. Once an individual has notified the Office of Stewardship and Development that they have made such a gift, they will be enrolled in the Greteman Legacy Society.

"We want to know who has already made plans to make an estate gift to the church because we want to say thanks. Typically, you don't learn of a planned gift until someone has died and then it is too late," noted Wharton. "Secondly, we would like to encourage others to do so because planned gifts can make such a major impact on an organization."

Every person who enrolls in the Greteman Legacy Society will receive a centennial medallion as a small token of appreciation. If an individual has made a planned gift, they are asked to call (712) 233-7933 to enroll.