PLEASE GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN A LIFETIME

                Every year during the Season of Advent the second weekend in December asks us to assist our retired Religious Sisters, Priests and Brothers. For many years several religious orders have served us in the Church in many ways by providing health care, education and other social service ministries. Much of their service was provided free or for a minimal stipend. Now many more Religious are retired than are working. This means that the fewer who are working now must provide for the several who are retired. Many are in need of extended care.

                Many religious communities now are lacking the financial resources sufficient to meet the retirement and health-care needs of their aging members. Because many elder religious worked for years for small stipends, there is now a large gap in retirement savings. Of the 550 communities serving the Church throughout the country, only 45 are adequately funded for retirement. In the past Religious Sisters, Brothers and Religious Order Priests were provided a small stipend that met the needs of the day. Any surplus funds were reinvested in ministry and education of younger members. Like many Americans, religious communities face the huge challenge of funding eldercare.

                In the early and mid-twentieth centuries, the Catholic Church in the United States experienced a surge in vocations to religious life with numbers peaking in the mid-1960’s. Over time the number of vocations decreased while lifespans increased. The result is far fewer younger members are available to support the retirement eldercare needs of senior members. In 2016, the median age being reported by religious is 70 years old or older.

                Next weekend the second collection will be for the support of the retired Religious Sisters, Brothers and Religious Order Priests. You may remember one or more Religious who made an impact on your life. Supporting them in their retirement is one way to say thank you to them for all they have done for us.