Help aging religious. Senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have devoted their lives to prayer, service, and works of mercy. Most ministered for little or no pay. Today, their religious communities do not have enough retirement savings. Your gift to today’s Retirement Fund for Religious collection helps to furnish medications, nursing care, and other necessities.
Letter from Bishop Walsh: Retirement Fund for Religious Special Collection
My dear friends in Christ,
Next weekend, our parishes will be conducting the Retirement Fund for Religious collection, a national annual appeal that benefits nearly 25,000 elderly sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. Our senior religious are a treasure — both for their service to our Church and for the ways their prayer and witness enrich our faith. “Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall bear fruit even in old age” (Ps 92:14-15).
As I reflect on the ministry of women and men religious — past and present — I am grateful for the ways they have shaped my own faith when I was in the Diocese of Scranton. Having read the history of the Diocese of Gaylord, I also value the service they have offered the people of our diocese. Perhaps you, too, recall an older religious who made a positive difference in your life.
Most senior religious worked many years for little pay, leaving their religious communities with a shortage of retirement savings. Rising health-care costs and decreased income compound the challenge to meet day-to-day needs for medications, nursing assistance, and other necessities. Donations to the Retirement Fund for Religious provide financial support that helps religious communities care for aging members while ensuring younger ones can continue the good works of their elders.
I understand you are asked to support many worthy causes. I invite you to give what you can. Most importantly, please pray for God’s continued blessing on all our women and men religious. Rest assured that they are praying for us.
In Christ our Life!
Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh
Bishop of Gaylord
