BISHOP McDONNELL SOCIETY FALL 2025
YOUR LEGACY 1
the top tax bracket, consider giving more this year to avoid losing tax benefits next year.
WHAT STAYS 1. Income tax brackets The new law permanently extends the current tax rates.
WHAT THE NEW TAX LAW MEANS FOR YOUR GIVING SEVEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Changes to the tax code beginning January 1, 2026, could affect how, and when, you choose to give to Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School and other nonprofits.
WHAT’S NEW 1. Tax benefit for non-itemizers Even if you don’t itemize, you can deduct up to $1,000 (single filers) or $2,000 (married couples). So even smaller donations can make an impact. Note: Gifts to donor advised funds are excluded.
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2. New floor for itemizers You will need to give at least 0.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) to claim a charitable deduction. Consider maximizing your giving in 2025 before the new rule takes effect. 3. New limit for top earners Currently, top earners get a 37-cent tax benefit for every $1 deducted. Starting in 2026, that drops to 35 cents. If you are in
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2. Standard deduction For 2025, it will be $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for married couples filing jointly. If you don’t itemize, you may still benefit if you give appreciated stock, real estate or, if you are 70½ or older, from your IRA. 3. Deduction limit for cash gifts You can still deduct cash gifts of up to 60% of your AGI. Consider combining your cash and non-cash assets (often called blended giving) to maximize your tax benefits and impact. 4. Estate and gift tax exemption It will increase to $15 million per individual and $30 million per married couple filing jointly. Your estate is likely under this amount, so focus on current giving to receive tax benefits.
WHY I GIVE by JOHN F. WALL ’65
the basis of my life—and continues to do so. The Brothers instilled in me a love of lifelong learning and a way of logically and clearly thinking about issues we all face on the path of life. It helped me become the person I am today.
Rosa and John Wall ’65
I am a proud graduate of St. Augustine Diocesan High School, class of 1965. Yes, 60 years ago! The education I received from the Christian Brothers formed
A good number of my classmates are successful in many fields. For myself, I have held Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) positions at several public and private companies. Most importantly, St. Augustine built a foundation of how to lead an upstanding life and, best of all, it established
lifelong friendships with my peers—many of whom I am still in regular contact with today. All of that education came from a tuition of $100.00 a semester! Yes, $100! It was a Diocesan HS supported by the Brooklyn Diocese. When we have visited and received updates about Bishop Loughlin, we are very much reminded of the education and experience I had. We are so impressed by Br. Dennis Cronin and his staff—and what they have accomplished. But more importantly we are very impressed by the students at Bishop Loughlin. In the many times we have visited
the school, we are greeted by students who are aweinspiring! The way they hold themselves, their obvious thirst for knowledge, and the many outstanding accomplishments they have had over the years. And they are just darn nice! Bishop Loughlin truly punches well about their weight class! With all of that said, tuition is certainly no longer $100 a semester. My wife, Rosa, and I are truly blessed. It’s time to give back. There could be no more deserving place than to help the students at Bishop Loughlin. Please join us in contributing to Bishop Loughlin. God bless.
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THE BISHOP M McDONNELL SOCIETY AN ENDURING GIFT TO CELEBRATE THE 100 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF BISHOP M McDONNELL MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
BISHOP McDONNELL, FOUNDED IN 1926, OPENED TO PROVIDE YOUNG WOMEN AN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY AND EMPOWERED THEM TO SUCCEED. YOUR LEGACY: LEADERS AND ROLE MODELS... IN EDUCATION, LAW, FINANCE, HEALTHCARE, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, GOVERNMENT, TECHNOLOGY, IN THE COMMUNITY, and more...
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THE McDONNELL SOCIETY is a legacy giving program that honors and recognizes donors who have made planned or estate gifts—in support of Catholic education in Brooklyn and contributing to Bishop Loughlin’s longterm financial stability. It is named for the beloved Bishop Charles McDonnell, the second Bishop of Brooklyn, who inspired the founding of Bishop McDonnell almost 100 years ago!
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The Sisters of St. Joseph, the Sisters of St. Dominic, the Sisters of Mercy, the Daughters of Wisdom, and the Sisters of Charity (and later the Nursing Sisters of the Sick Poor and a nun from the Sisters of the Missionary Sisters of the Most Blessed Trinity) all came together to make a Bishop’s education one of the finest in the city for almost 50 years. Many Memorialites know that Bishop Loughlin became a co-educational high school in 1973 when Bishop McDonnell
JEANNE FASTOOK ’60 closed. Two hundred and forty Memorialites enrolled at Loughlin to complete their high school education. The McDonnell-Loughin relationship lives in Loughlin today—since 1974, more than 5,500 young women have
The most common planned gifts are bequest provisions in a will, an established charitable trust for Loughlin’s benefit, a donor-advised fund (DAF), or contributed retirement assets. There are tax advantages to all of these options and a bequest is a YOUR GIFT DIRECTLY HONORS THE LEGACY OF BISHOP gift that costs the donor MCDONNELL AND SERVES AS A MODEL FOR OTHER DONORS. nothing during THE SOCIETY IS A WAY FOR ALL MEMORIALITES TO MAKE their lifetime. SIMILAR CONTRIBUTIONS. graduated from Bishop Loughlin. Our students today hail from the same parishes and neighborhoods you grew up in. Loughlin and fellow Christian Brother school, St. Augustine High School, carry forward a shared tradition and mission with Bishop McDonnell. In recognition of this bond, Memorialites have created several lasting scholarship funds to support the young women attending Loughlin. The Bishop McDonnell Scholarship Fund has supported many young women over the past 14 years.
Having a will is the way to be sure your loved ones and the organizations that you care about, including Loughlin, receive the gifts you intend. If you already have a will, it is important to review it regularly, especially if you move to another state or if your personal or family circumstances change. Think carefully before you decide and consult with an attorney to discuss and update your estate plans. Feel free to contact us to discuss the best ways you can create a legacy.
Dr. Fastook’s bequest in 2022 of $450,000 in support of the Bishop McDonnell Scholarship Fund was a gift at the heart of supporting the young women at Bishop Loughlin. Jeanne was devoted to her Catholic faith and was a ardent supporter of Catholic education. Her legacy gift will continue to support our women scholars for many years to come.
BISHOP McDONNELL SOCIETY Anonymous ‘66 Ann Corcoran ‘49 Lorraine Ducotey Solen ‘55 Roberta Eisenberg ‘58 Dorothy A. Jones ‘59 Betty McCann Ryan ‘57 Frances McGill, MD ‘64 Norine Roberts Hemping ‘60 Theresa Oropallo ‘63 Sarah Solan ‘58
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DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS (DAFs) AN EASY, VERSATILE, AND TAX-ADVANTAGEOUS WAY TO GIVE TO A CHARITY A charitable giving program called a donor-advised fund allows a donor to contribute cash, securities (like stock), or various other assets to a donoradvised fund. Generally, you are eligible to take an immediate tax deduction even if your donation to the charity will happen later.
Investment and Growth The assets in the DAF can be invested and quite possibly grow, tax-free— creating more funds available for giving. Distribution Donors can be involved in how the funds are invested and what charities your donations are directed to—and when.
The fund can be invested for tax-free growth—a simplier way to contribute a wider range of assets that a charity may not be equipped to handle themselves. According to Fidelity Charitable Fund, DAFs are the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicle in the United States because they are one of the simpliest and most taxadvantageous ways to give to charity. Sources: Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, The Columbus Foundation, and Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund.
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or a community foundation) and makes an irrevocable contribution of cash, securities, or other assets.
HOW DAFs WORK Donate A donor establishes a DAF account with a sponsoring charitable giving intermediary (ie: Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, Schwab Charitable Fund, National Philanthropic Trust,
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The Charitable Giving Intermediary role Streamlining giving for the donor, the intermediary organization holds legal control of the donated assets and manages the administrative tasks associated with the DAF, including facilitating the giving, and providing tax reporting.
BENEFITS OF DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS: Maximize tax benefits DAFs allow donors to receive an immediate
tax deduction for their contributions and donate assets without incurring capital gains taxes.
KENNY LEWIS ’87 “Everyone has a point in their lives where they can look back and say, ‘This is who, what, and why I am.’ I discovered several years ago it was a ‘village’...disguised as a little unassuming school building on Clermont Avenue.
Flexible and strategic giving Donors can contribute when it’s advantageous for them and either donate immediately or decide later which charities to support. Donors can also set up recurring distributions to the charities of their choice. Streamlined Donations for a wide range of assets DAFs centralize your charitable giving and can accept various assets, including cash, appreciated securities, mutual funds, real estate, and more. It is a good way to manage and donate to the charities that mean the most to you from one convenient account. Legacy planning Donors can incorporate DAFs into their estate plans, ensuring that their charitable choices are made beyond their lifetime. For guidance on the best ways to leave a legacy, contact Andrew Leary at 718-857-2700 x2251 or aleary@blmhs.org. We would be happy to discuss the best ways you can create a legacy gift.
My ‘village’ taught me, challenged me, and dared me to be more and better than I dreamed I could be. I have made and make decisions in my life because I stand on broad shoulders of those in my ‘village’ who shaped me—and I owe them to give back. Kenny and Lorraine Chambers Lewis
BISHOP LOUGHLIN WILL BE A FOUNDATION—BUT ONLY IF WE CONTINUE TO NURTURE AND PROVIDE THE MEANS FOR IT TO GROW.
So, almost 40 years later, it is only natural that I include Loughlin, my ‘village’, in my estate plans. Today, somewhere in the ‘village’, there are young women and young men who are unsure of themselves, tomorrow, and life. They don’t know it now, but that ‘village’, Bishop Loughlin, will be a foundation—but only IF we continue to nurture and provide the means for it to grow.” —Kenny Lewis ’87
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OUR GIVING SOCIETIES The value of a Lasallian education is known throughout the world. St. John Baptist De La Salle, the Patron Saint of Teachers, would be proud that his legacy is alive today in more than 80 countries—including here at Bishop Loughlin. Society members recognize that our long-term financial health is paramount, and have included Bishop Loughlin in their estate plans. Making a planned gift achieves many goals. When you make a bequest to Bishop Loughlin, you enter a covenant to benefit future generations of students. Thank you to all of our legacy stewards.
JUSTINIAN SOCIETY The Justinian Society was established in 2000, and named for Brother Justinian, who famously served as Principal for St. James Academy from 1870 -1877 — most remembered for his proud and unwavering stand against criticism of Catholic education.
Anonymous ’56 Anonymous ’64 Tony Baril ‘77 Fred F. Basso ‘70 Thomas K. Beck ‘57 Roy J. Bertoldo ‘55 Fred R. Best ‘64 Thomas Brennand ‘61 Gerard Brinkman ‘64 Gerard D. Buckley ‘57 Eugene J. Buehl ‘60 Anthony R. Buonaguro ‘63 Vincent Callagy ‘65 Dom Camera ‘60 Connell C. Cannon ‘65 George J. Cappiello ‘62 Brian C. Connolly ‘73 Hugh J Cornyn ‘48 Anthony P. Cottell ‘54
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Cdr. Edward J. Crowley ‘57 Joseph Dabek ‘64 John Dattner ‘65 Bob Deasy ‘62 Steven T. DeVincent ‘63 Dennis J. DeLisle ‘64 Gerald DeMaio ‘66 Peter J. Egan ‘58 Pat Farley ‘60 James P. Feeney ‘53 Albert J. Flint ‘69 Richard F. Frazita ‘56 Mario Gabos ‘47 Richard M. Garland ‘55 John P. Geary ‘65 James Gibson ‘59 John C. Gifford ‘61 Kathleen Gloisten Martin J. Gyves ‘56
Gerald Hackert ‘45 Martin Holley ‘57 Earl Holford ‘89 Francis J. Houghton ‘53 Kenneth P. Hunt ‘58 John G. Hyland ‘48 John Jermusyk ‘54 Linda Johnson ‘80 Don Judge ‘62 Kenneth Karchinski ‘66 John Klemm ’65 Thomas A. Kubic, Ph.D. ‘64 Ken Lanfear ‘64 Stephen Laruccia ‘63 Kenny Lewis ‘87 Joanne Wilson Lopez ‘79 Matthew S. Lukaszewski ‘61 Robert Mangam ‘53 Charles March ‘58
“MY WIFE AND I REMAIN COMMITTED TO HELPING LOUGHLIN FAMILIES STRIVING TO PROVIDE THE BEST FUTURE FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO ACHIEVE LIVES OF SUCCESS AND STRONG POSITIVE VALUES.” —Vincent ’65 and Margaret Callagy
Edward G. Martin ‘47 Raymond Matthews ‘64 Michael McCormack ‘59 David McDonald ‘46 Nancy McKeever Brian McKeon ‘76 Thomas McLaughlin ‘72 Terrence T. McMahon ‘58 James J. McCreesh ‘59 William McShane ‘61
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Paul G. Migliore ‘63 William R. Mitchell ‘85 John J. Molesphini ‘47 William M. Monroe ‘52 Charles E. Murphy ‘60 Michael ‘65 and Jane Cozzi ‘65 Murray ‘63 Nick Murray ‘61 Hal Nichter ‘64 Edmund O’Donnell ‘57
NORINE ROBERTS HEMPING ’60 BMD
Steve and Norine Roberts Hemping ’60 BMD
“I care deeply about my high school, Bishop McDonnell. Knowing Bishop Loughlin educates young women, my reason for considering a planned gift is to provide resources to support opportunities to help young women of Bishop Loughlin realize their worth and reach their full potential.” —Norine Roberts Hemping ’60 (BMD)
SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN HOW GIFTS THROUGH YOUR WILL OR TRUST WORKS
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“AFTER RECEIVING A DIPLOMA FROM LOUGHLIN, I HAD THE CONFIDENCE TO GO TO COLLEGE AND BEYOND. IT MAKES ME PROUD THAT LOUGHLIN IS STILL AVAILABLE TO YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY AND STILL PRODUCING A QUALITY EDUCATION. FOR THAT REASON I TRY TO CONTRIBUTE YEARLY AND HAVE LEFT A REQUEST IN MY WILL FOR LOUGHLIN.” —Ken Hunt ’58
Emeritus Professor of Special Education, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Brian F. O’Donohue ‘62 Frank Orawiec ‘64 James P. Orenga ‘58 Robert F. Pettit ‘55 Joseph A. Pianpiano, DDS ‘54 Joseph Pietro John S. Polickoski ‘52 Vincent J. Polito ‘56 William F. Powers ‘52 Joseph A. Puglisi ‘64 Gerard J. Quinn ‘69 Terrence K. Quinn ‘64 Rita Reilly Raymond J. Reisert ‘59 John Rowinski ‘69 John R. Rueckel ‘57 John P. Russell ‘59 Charles Santore ‘62 Anthony Santucci ‘59 Sally Sattan ‘89
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Robert A. Sbarra ‘52 George R. Spall ‘57 Edward Spinelli ‘60 Ronald Stride ‘58 George W. Synan ‘62 Richard F. Trabert ‘54 Daniel Tubridy ‘66 Leonard Tufaro ‘57 Edward J. Tyburczy ‘67 Jack W. Tyniec ‘62 Jonathan J. Verdun ‘65 Robert A. Visconti ‘64 Robert Vizza ‘51 Edward P. Westemeier ‘64 Joseph G. Whelan ‘62
CALIXTUS SOCIETY The Calixtus Society is named for Brother Calixtus Peter, the first principal (1909 - 1913) of St. Augustine High School.
Anonymous ’54 James F. McGowan ‘53 James J. McHugh ‘62 John F. Wall ‘65
OUR DECEASED SOCIETY MEMBERS Urban Ambrose ‘43 Erwin Bayer ‘31 Edward F. Bennett ‘51 Brian Bentley ‘59 Louis S. Benincasa ‘45 Drew Bostinto ‘72 Edward Bowes ’60
George T. Brady ‘64 William F. Cashel, Ph.D. ‘58 John T. Chambers ‘47 Leonard P. Connor ‘53 SA Martin J. Donahue ‘47 Joseph Donohue ‘50 Vincent Downing ‘48 Joseph Doyle ‘61 Robert Driscoll ’48 John E. Engelhart, Ph.D. ‘54 Jeanne Fastook, MD ‘60 BMD James P. Flaherty ‘65 SA Arthur Griffin ‘59 Robert T. Guyer ‘43 Dennis M. Hafke ‘62 Patricia Hannon Frost ‘51 BMD Kathryn Jablonski Lawrence P. Jermyn ‘71 John J. Jordan ‘55 James I. Konkel ‘54 SA Col. Edward B. Lavender (Ret.) ‘41 Joseph Lenihan ‘48 Gabriel M. Liegey, Jr. ‘44 George Maclean ‘61 James McCollom ‘48 William J. Maher ‘44 James Malone ‘31 Andrew J. Maloney ‘49
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James T. McAuliffe ‘46 William A. McManus, III ‘46 Donald J. Meyer ‘49 Rev. Thomas F. Murphy ‘60 Robert Nahman ‘57 Stephen L. Nuccio ‘69 James F. Pecqueux ‘44 Roy Povell ‘47 Jerome R. Quinn ‘52 Joseph Riemer ‘37 James J. Reilly ‘57 SA Bernie Rice ‘51 Anthony Sallustio ‘54 Arthur Schlosser ‘48 John P. Sheehy ‘49 Walter Sitkowski ‘40 James F. Spengler ‘60 Robert E. Sweeney, Jr. ‘34 Msgr. Charles W. Swiger ‘55 Eugene J. Sullivan ‘38 Charles Traina ‘68 Thomas A. Turley Joseph P. Van Schaick ‘58 James F. Spengler ‘60 Joseph Vorbach ‘65 Janet Walsh Ann C. Ward Lawrence M. Waterhouse ‘55 Julian Zawlocki ‘52 Frank Zember ‘45 Alfred Ziccardi ‘34
EUGENE J. ’38 & GLORIA SULLIVAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
GREAT YEAR-END GIFT IDEAS THIS YEAR MAKE AN IMMEDIATE DIFFERENCE Support Bishop Loughlin with a cash gift via check or online. Your gift may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction. Unsure of whether your gift is tax-deductible? Contact your financial advisor or tax consultant. 1. USE APPRECIATED STOCK
EUGENE J. SULLIVAN ’38 1995 ESTABLISHES LOUGHLIN’S FIRST LIVING TRUST (of $100,000)
SINCE HIS DEATH IN 2014
$ 116,104.00 AWARDED TO STUDENTS IN ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOO!
Donating appreciated stock that you have owned for longer than one year allows you to qualify for an income tax deduction and eliminate any tax on the appreciation. Note: If the stock is electronically transferred to us, the gift date is the day the stock enters our account, not the date you ask your broker to make the transfer.
2. MAKE A GIFT FROM YOUR IRA If you are 70½ or older, you can give any amount up to $108,000 from your IRA directly to Bishop Loughlin. You will not pay income taxes on the transfer. This gift can also count toward your required minimum distributions. Note: Your IRA administrator must transfer the funds by December 31. If you have check-writing features on your IRA, your check must clear your account by December 31 to count toward your required minimum distribution for the calendar year.
By remembering the school in your estate or future plans, you make a lasting mark for Catholic education by opening doors to generations of future students. You can plan a gift to benefit us today or after your lifetime.
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Key to our mission as a Lasallian school is this phrase from Saint John Baptist De La Salle.
“Our purpose is to provide a human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor.”
Andrew Leary, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Bishop Loughlin
Help Loughlin maintain its commitment to providing excellence in education—that is affordable. Estate gifts are an integral part in assuring that a Lasallian education remains accessible to all qualified students, regardless of family means.
you and welcome you to the McDonnell Society. Sharing your designation with the school will ensure your gift is used as you intend, and your recognition may inspire others to do the same.
If you have included Loughlin in your charitable plans, or intend to do so, or would like to find out about the benefits of giving wisely, please let me know. I’m happy to speak with
For guidance on the best ways to leave a legacy reach out to me at 718-857-2700 x2251 or aleary@blmhs.org. I would be honored to discuss the best ways you can create a legacy.
BISHOP LOUGHLIN MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL ı 357 CLERMONT AVENUE ı BROOKLYN, NY 11238 ı LOUGHLIN.ORG