Building a Legacy of Faith for Tomorrow

For as long as I can remember, St. Hilary of Poitiers Catholic Church has been part of my life story. It’s the place where I was baptized, received my First Communion, and was confirmed in my faith. I grew up serving as an altar server for years, learning the meaning of service and community at a young age. My parents were married at St. Hilary, and my mother faithfully served on the Pastoral Council. Together, my parents spent countless hours volunteering at our parish fair, La Vie Lafourchaise. As a child, I remember working the booths with them, greeting familiar faces, and feeling a deep sense of belonging.
 
Those experiences shaped who I am today and why my wife, Amy, and I have chosen to leave a legacy gift through the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana—a gift that will continue to support St. Hilary for generations to come.
 
Our family’s connection to St. Hilary has come full circle. Today Amy and I are raising our three children—Michael (11), Abby (9), and Matthew (6)—in the same parish community that shaped my own faith journey. All three of our children were baptized at St. Hilary, and now Michael and Abby serve as altar servers, following in the same footsteps I once did.
 
For us, St. Hilary isn’t just our parish—it’s our second home. It’s where we worship, grow, and find community. It’s where our children are learning the same faith and values that have guided our family for generations. And it’s where we’ve found a spiritual family that celebrates life’s joys and supports one another through life’s challenges. Amy and I often reflect on how fortunate we are to benefit from the stewardship of those who came before us. The parish we enjoy today exists because generations of faithful families invested their time, talent, and treasure into its growth. They built more than a church—they built a faith community. We realized that it’s now our responsibility to do the same for the next generation.
 
That’s why we decided to create the Ponson Family Endowed Fund through the Catholic Foundation. Through our will, we made provisions not only to care for our children as our primary focus, but also to leave a portion of our estate to support St. Hilary of Poitiers Catholic Church in perpetuity. Our gift will become a lasting endowment that will provide annual financial support to the parish—forever. Leaving a legacy gift was, quite honestly, a no-brainer for us. It gave us peace of mind knowing that we could take care of our family first while also giving back to the church that has given us so much. Working with the Catholic Foundation made the process easy and straightforward. We didn’t have to make a large donation today; instead, we simply included the Foundation and our parish in our long-term estate planning. This approach allowed us to make a transformational future gift without affecting our current financial security.
 
The Catholic Foundation guided us every step of the way, ensuring that our wishes will always be honored. They helped us establish a fund that will be carefully managed and protected—guaranteeing that St. Hilary will continue to receive support long after we’re gone, regardless of who leads the parish or what changes come in the years ahead.
 
For me, this gift is about gratitude and responsibility. I’m able to enjoy a vibrant parish today because others before me cared enough to give. They planted the seeds of faith and stewardship that we now enjoy. Amy and I feel called to do the same—to ensure that St. Hilary remains a thriving, faith-filled community for our children, and for theirs. When I see my children serving at the altar, just as I did, I’m reminded of the deep roots this parish has in our family. The church has been present in every major moment of my life—from my baptism to confirmation, and now through the sacraments of our children. It’s hard to overstate how much that means to us.
 
Leaving a legacy gift is more than a financial decision; it’s a statement of faith. It’s about believing that what we love today—our parish, our faith community, our Church—will continue to grow and flourish long into the future.
 
I share our story not for recognition, but as an encouragement. Each of us has the ability to make a difference. Whether your gift is large or small, planned giving allows you to leave a lasting mark of faith. By planning now, you ensure that your parish, school, or ministry will continue to thrive for generations to come.
 
Our family’s hope is that others will prayerfully consider their own legacy. What better way to give thanks for all that God has done in our lives than to make sure the next generation has the same opportunity to encounter Him in a vibrant, welcoming Church community? St. Hilary has been home to my family for decades, and it’s our honor to help ensure that it will remain home for countless families after us. Together, we can all build a legacy of faith for tomorrow — one that reflects the love, generosity, and enduring spirit of our Catholic community.
 
To learn more about how you can create a legacy for your parish or Catholic ministry, contact the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana or visit www.catholicfoundationsl.org.
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David Ponson is a Legacy Donor with the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana. He and his with Amy, along with their three children, are parishoners at St. Hilary of Poitiers Catholic Church.