Retirement Fund for Religious

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November 28, 2024

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

On the weekend of December 8 our parishes will be conducting the collection for the national Retirement Fund for Religious. Religious communities of women and men were devoted to establishing Catholic schools, hospitals, and charitable agencies. Often this progress came at great sacrifice, and many older sisters, brothers, and religious order priests served for little to no pay. 

Escalating healthcare costs and a lack of traditional retirement plans have created financial challenges for many religious communities. The Retirement Fund for Religious addresses this need, supporting more than 20,000 religious over the age of 70. In 2023, the average annual cost for their care was roughly $59,700 per person. With skilled nursing care, the average cost was $90,700.

In 2023, parishioners in our diocese contributed $96,071 to the collection. That same year, a combined total of $234,460 from this national fund was distributed to assist five of our local communities: the Religious Venerini Sisters; Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary;  St. Joseph’s Abbey; St. Mary’s Monastery; and the Benedictine sisters at St. Scholastica Priory. That would not have been possible were it not for this national fund. 

Just as our annual Celebrate Priesthood event helps our diocese to care for its retired diocesan priests, this national collection assists many religious communities to provide for aging members. 

Pope Francis wrote, “there is no retirement age from the work of proclaiming the Gospel.” While this annual collection assists those who have retired from their careers, they never retire from their vows and keep the needs of the people they served for a lifetime in their daily prayers. 

I recognize this is but one of numerous worthy causes in need of assistance in this season; I ask simply that you consider giving to those who have given a lifetime. If you are unable to donate at Mass, please mail your gift to your parish, donate through your parish’s online giving platform, if available, or donate at the diocesan website, worcesterdiocese.org. In gratitude for their faithful service, please join me in supporting the Retirement Fund for Religious and in praying for God’s blessing on our nation’s elderly and infirm religious women and men. 

With every prayerful best wish, I remain

Sincerely yours in Christ,
 
Most Reverend Robert J. McManus
Bishop of Worcester