Bishop's Letter

Dec. 1, 2022

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

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.
In 2021 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 intentions of the people they served in their daily prayers.
Today, most religious communities do not have enough retirement savings and they struggle to provide for a growing number of elder members. 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. Each diocese is responsible for managing its own finances and priests. Sisters, brothers, and certain priests are members of religious orders – like the Franciscans or Benedictines. These communities, while part of the greater Catholic Church, operate outside of the diocesan structure. Thus, each is responsible for its own finances and for the care of all members.
Over the past year, 271 religious communities received $30 million in funding from this national collection to assist nearly 25,000 elderly sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious provides vital funding for medications, nursing care, and more. It also helps religious congregations implement long-range retirement strategies, even as they continue to serve the People of God.
I recognize this is but one of numerous worthy causes in need of assistance; 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 thanksgiving 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 prayerful best wishes, I remain
    
    Sincerely yours in Christ,

    Most Reverend
    Robert J. McManus
    Bishop of Worcester