Retirement Fund for Religious

In his letter to the Galatians, St. Paul urges us to remain steadfast in helping others: “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.” (Gal 6, 9). During these unprecedented times, many are hurting and need our assistance, including elderly religious.

The 33rd annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held next weekend December 12th and 13th. The appeal assists hundreds of religious order communities in providing for the ongoing needs of their aging Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests.

The U.S. bishops initiated the collection in 1988 to address the significant lack of retirement funding among U.S. religious orders. The annual collection benefits eligible religious orders to help underwrite retirement and healthcare expenses for nearly 30,000 elderly religious.

The retirement funding deficit is rooted in low salaries and changing demographics. Traditionally women and men religious engaged in ministry for little to no pay. As a result, many religious communities lack adequate retirement savings. Elderly religious are also living longer and outnumber younger, wage earning religious by nearly three to one.

This year the needs to be addressed are many. We ask for your prayerful support of our religious women and men and whatever donation you can make will be greatly appreciated.