- Donor Stories
Nothing Happens By Chance
When a Small Decision Becomes a Lasting Legacy
“In God’s plan, nothing happens by chance.” St. John Paul II’s words often bring comfort in hardship, but they also illuminate moments of unexpected grace. For Michael Hammer, a decision he made at 18 would, decades later, become a lasting act of stewardship for him and his wife, Susan. It’s a choice that will benefit St. Michael’s Parish in Fairbury, Nebraska, for generations to come.
A Smart Decision in Hindsight
In 1963, buying a life insurance policy wasn’t exactly on Michael’s mind. But when a local insurance agent pulled him out of class, it seemed like a welcome diversion. “He sells me this 20-year pay life policy,” Michael laughs and recalls. “I paid about $23 a month and just let it go.”
Michael admits the stern lecture from his teacher on leaving class stuck with him more than the details of the policy itself. Yet decades later, he used the cash value from that same policy to start the first-ever Donor Designated Fund for St. Michael’s Church, a parish that’s deeply tied to the Hammer family’s story.
“My great-grandfather, who helped build this church, would walk 14 miles to go to Mass,” Michael shares—a testament to the steadfast faith of his German immigrant ancestors who settled on the family farm. Susan adds, “And Michael’s dad was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus here in Fairbury. When you look at it all together, it’s one of those things you could never plan, but can only be grateful for.”
Do Whatever You Think is Right
“When we first decided to make a gift to the parish, we didn’t know anything about the Catholic Foundation,” Michael explains. “My only instructions were, ‘do whatever you think is right with it.’”
For the Hammer family, what mattered most was that their generosity would always support St. Michael’s. In time, they discovered that through the Catholic Foundation, their gift could not only provide for the parish today but also grow to create long-term stability for the future.
Unlike a traditional savings account, these funds can experience significant growth, with historical average returns around 8–10%. They’re also fully liquid, meaning the parish and pastor can access resources whenever needs arise. “It’s amazing that the Foundation can take something we no longer needed and turn it into something that sustains the parish,” Michael says.
“It’s amazing that the Foundation can take something we no longer needed and turn it into something that sustains the parish.”
St. Michael’s Parish is Family
“We went to high school here, and we worked here,” Susan reflects. “We got married at this church in 1970.” Over 55 years of marriage, the parish has been the backdrop for countless family milestones. “All the kids—Jeff, Heidi, and Mark—were baptized here,” she says. “We’ve had more milestones here than we can count.” The Hammer family’s legacy of faith continues, with their three children blessing Michael and Susan with seven grandchildren.
Grounded in Service
The Hammer family farm carries stories of faith and change, too. Michael’s grandfather arrived in 1890 and helped build the Rock Island Railroad, which “quite literally runs through our family farm.” Michael laughs, “The passenger train went right by the farm, and I remember Dwight Eisenhower going through in the 1960s.” When farming was tough in the 1980s, Michael found stability at the post office. “It was a blessing,” he reflects. “I worked as clerk and carrier for nearly two decades, delivering mail through Fairbury and Reynolds.”
Meanwhile, Susan took the reins of the Reynolds Post Office, a role she loves. Michael smiles, “She’s been running it smoothly and enjoys being around people every day.” Their post-office partnership continues the Hammer family’s tradition of service, showing that stewardship thrives wherever there’s a community to care for.
The Impact and Future of the St. Michael Fund
For Michael and Susan, establishing this fund means a great deal to them and the parish they love. “Our young priest has brought so many people to the Church,” Susan enthusiastically notes. “He goes out into the community. He gets a lot of things going.” The donor designated fund provides flexibility to meet parish needs beyond weekly collections. “If they need something, we hope they use it,” Michael explains.
The Hammers also hope their story encourages others to consider creative ways of giving. “If everyone just does a little bit, it makes a big difference,” Michael reflects. Susan agrees: “It’s all about helping hands helping people.” Their story is a reminder that meaningful gifts can come from anywhere. Sometimes it’s an asset no longer needed—like an old insurance policy—that, with the Foundation’s guidance, can be transformed into lasting support for the Church and its future.
From Lecture to Legacy
From ancestors who helped build the parish to a lifelong connection rooted in family, faith, and service, Michael and Susan Hammer embody the spirit of stewardship. “We’re just glad we could do something,” laughs Michael. “Makes that talking-to from my old high school teacher feel like it was all part of the plan!”
