The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held Dec. 10-11 in the Diocese of Camden. Coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO), the parish-based appeal benefits nearly 33,000 senior Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests whose communities lack retirement savings.
Reflecting on the fruits of the Year of Mercy, I cannot help but recall the example of thousands of now elderly women and men religious who, for so many, were a living sign of God’s mercy. These women and men—Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests—were indeed the hands of Christ as they educated the young, cared for the sick, and ministered to the neediest among us. Through their service and witness, they modeled the compassionate love of Jesus and showed us that we, too, could be instruments of peace and mercy.
Today, many senior religious continue to be vessels of mercy, serving in a wide range of volunteer and prayer ministries. Others are frail and need assistance. Most older religious ministered for small stipends, leaving a substantial gap in retirement savings. With the ever-rising cost of health care and the increased number of those needing care, many religious communities struggle to provide for aging members.
Last year the Diocese of Camden contributed $201,158.17 to the collection. In 2016, the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Infant Jesus and the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception who serve in our diocese received financial assistance made possible by the Retirement Fund for Religious. Women and men religious who serve or have served in the diocese but whose communities are based elsewhere may also benefit from the annual appeal.
The Catholic bishops of the United States initiated the collection in 1988 to address the significant lack of retirement funding among U.S. religious communities. Proceeds help underwrite retirement and health-care expenses. Nearly 95 percent of donations directly support senior religious and their communities.
Your gift provides vital support for medications, nursing care, and more. It also helps religious communities implement long-term retirement strategies that ensure both quality eldercare and continued service to the People of God.
I ask you to give what you can. So many of us have benefitted from the work of Sisters, Brothers and Religious priests. Please join me in supporting the Retirement Fund for Religious.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, D.D.
Bishop of Camden
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