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COMMUNITY
November 21 , 2017 | The Valley Catholic
Collection Helps Aging Sisters , Brothers and Priests in Religious Orders
Catholics in the Diocese of San Jose will have the opportunity to “ give to those who have given a lifetime ” as part of the collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious , to be held in parishes Dec . 9-10 . Coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office ( NRRO ) in Washington , D . C ., the annual appeal benefits 32,000 elderly Catholic sisters , brothers and religious order priests whose religious congregations lack adequate retirement funding .
Last year , the Diocese of San Jose contributed $ 215,400.56 to the appeal . Women and men religious who serve or have served in the diocese but whose communities are based elsewhere may benefit from the Retirement Fund for Religious .
The 2016 collection raised almost $ 30.7 million nationally . Roughly 94 cents of every dollar aids senior religious . In June , the NRRO distributed $ 25 million to 390 religious communities across the country . Communities utilize these funds to bolster retirement savings and subsidize expenses ,
Many elderly sisters , brothers , and religious order priests worked for little to no pay , and now their religious communities do not have enough money for their care . Please support the Retirement Fund for Religious collection at Mass on Dec . 9-10 .
such as prescription medications and nursing care . Throughout the year , additional funding is allocated to assist religious communities with the greatest needs and to promote ongoing education in retirement planning and eldercare delivery .
“ We are humbled and profoundly grateful for the love and support of Catholics across the nation ,” said Presentation Sister Stephanie Still , the
NRRO ’ s executive director .
Despite this generosity , many religious communities still struggle to provide for aging members . Only 41 of the 539 communities submitting data to the NRRO in 2016 were adequately funded for retirement . Traditionally , Catholic sisters , brothers and religious order priests — known collectively as religious — served for small stipends that did not include retirement benefits . Today , hundreds of religious communities lack sufficient retirement savings . Compounding the funding shortage are the rising cost of care and the decrease in income that has resulted from the declining number of religious able to serve in compensated ministry .
In addition to providing assistance for day-to-day needs , collection proceeds underwrite initiatives to help religious communities address the factors underlying their retirement shortfalls . These efforts have facilitated solutions such as collaborative care facilities , strategic partnerships with health-care providers and numerous cost-saving measures .
“ I visit many religious communities and see the good works that members young and old provide ,” said Sister Still . “ Generosity to the annual collection ensures our office can furnish support to help these communities care for older members while continuing their ministries and witness .”
Please visit retiredreligious . org to learn more .
“ My sister was to be a nun , and I was to be a mother ,” says Notre Dame Sister Mary Ann Hanson ( foreground ), 79 , “ but God had other plans .” During 61 years of religious life , she has joyfully followed those plans . Along with the senior religious shown here — and 32,000 more across the United States — Sister Mary Ann benefits from the Retirement Fund for Religious . Your gift helps provide nursing care , medications , and other necessities . Please be generous .
Roughly 94 percent of donations aid senior religious .
Please give at your parish December 9 – 10 .
Retirement Fund for Religious
Or mail your donation to : Diocese of San Jose 1150 North First Street Suite 100 San Jose CA 95112 Make check payable to Diocese of San Jose / RFR .
Please give to those who have given a lifetime . www . retiredreligious . org
Photo ( from left ): Sister Gloria Rodríguez , MGSpS , 80 ; Father Albert Bunsic , OCD , 81 ; Sister Alfonsina Sanchez , OCD , 96 ; Sister Mary Ann Hanson , SND , 79 . © 2017 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops , Washington , DC . All rights reserved . Photographer : Jim Judkis .