Other Ways to Give

While online giving through ParishSOFT is our preferred way of receiving your contributions to St. Lawrence, there are certainly other ways to give, and we appreciate them all!

The Good Ol' Fashioned Way

Parishioners have been using the envelope system for decades, and it still works just fine! When you register with St. Lawrence, if you indicate that you'd like to contribute on a recurring basis (please do!), you'll first be given temporary envelopes, and shortly thereafter assigned an envelope number. You will then receive packets of envelopes in the mail. Return the envelope with either cash or your check for the assigned week, feast day, or special collection in the collection basket at Mass.

Please note: Cash given in the collection basket is as gratefully received as any other donation. It does have a downside, though, insofar as it provides no way for us to keep track of your yearly contributions for tax purposes.

"Text-to-Give"

Our parish has been assigned a number by which parishioners can support St. Lawrence via text. For those who do a lot of texting through the day, this is an especially easy way to give either a recurring or one-time gift to the parish. Simply text a dollar amount (for example, $20) to (631) 201- 4904 to get started. The number is exclusive to St. Lawrence. Simple, smart, secure, convenient!

Wills and Bequests

The financial support St. Lawrence receives from week to week is indispensable to our ability to thrive as a living Catholic community. But beyond our parishioners' weekly or monthly giving, we also encourage you to consider ways you can leave a lasting legacy by making a planned gift to the parish, or other Church-affiliated charity.

What is a "planned gift"? Very simply, planned giving describes a donor’s commitment to transfer capital assets to a qualified religious organization or other charity. More often than not, a planned gift is made by means of a formal agreement or contract, as part of an overall estate plan. The most common type of planned gift is a bequest provision in a will.

Parishioners often find that naming the parish in their will or trust is a satisfying way to show their appreciation for what the Church has meant to them over the years. Some parishioners have left planned gifts in memory of a loved one or close friend. Others have made a bequest to support a particular parish ministry, such as Parish Outreach, or to contribute to future repairs and renovations to the church building. Once a parishioner's surviving family members receive their intended inheritance, leaving a bequest to the parish is an appealing way to show one's gratitude for God’s blessings, and leave a spiritual legacy.

When you do update your will and estate plans, please consider continuing your lifelong commitment to Christian Stewardship by leaving a bequest to St. Lawrence. For more information on a wide variety of options, just go to: https://www.stewardshipli.org/planned-giving Or to receive a copy of an informative brochure, please contact Barbara Kilargian at (516) 379-5210 x 257, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Charitable IRA Gifts, QCDs, etc.

Whether you itemize your deductions or not in 2025, this unique opportunity allows you to make a withdrawal through a direct IRA transfer while reducing your Adjusted Gross Income. If you would like to use your IRA to obtain a tax saving, and if:

You are at least 70 1/2 years old on the date you make your gift;
Your IRA is a traditional one, and
You don’t exceed your personal maximum of $108,000 per year in qualified charitable distributions, then--

Consult with your income tax advisor/preparer and tell the advisor you want to make a "Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)." Request their advice as to how to proceed based upon their knowledge of your personal income tax circumstances and how the QCD rules apply to you.

Having gotten advice to proceed from your tax advisor, then inform your IRA custodian that you want to make a "Qualified Charitable Deduction (QCD)." In most cases you will only have to fill out a simple form.

VERY IMPORTANT!! Your transfer must go directly from your IRA to the parish. If you receive the money first, then you’ll be taxed on it like any other distribution.

To illustrate: "John" has $125,000 in a traditional IRA, and would like to transfer $5,000 to St. Lawrence. Upon hearing of the Charitable IRA Distribution (QCD) opportunity, he directs the custodian of his IRA to transfer this amount not later than December 31, 2025 directly to the parish as his 2025 gift. He will not be subject to income tax on the $5,000 IRA/QCD withdrawal.

In addition to receiving your tax advisors recommended advice, some further details are available in IRS Publication 590-B or at www.irs.gov