The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held in parishes throughout the diocese on the weekend of Dec. 13-14.
In 2024, Catholics across the diocese contributed $143,457 to the collection, mostly through their home parishes.
“The generosity of U.S. Catholics continues to make a profound difference in the lives of aging religious,” said John Knutsen, director the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO). “This year, we invite all Catholics to help provide the care and dignity these women and men of faith so richly deserve.”
Rising health-care costs and the absence of traditional retirement plans have placed significant financial strain on many religious communities. The Retirement Fund for Religious helps address this need, supporting more than 21,000 religious over age 70. In 2024, the average annual cost of care was about $56,600 per person, with skilled nursing care averaging $96,000.
Since its establishment in 1988, the collection has raised over $1 billion, with nearly $900 million distributed for direct care and over $103.7 million allocated to retirement planning projects.
In 2024, the appeal raised over $28.1 million, providing financial assistance for the retirement needs of 266 U.S. religious communities. Beyond financial aid, the collection supports educational programs, empowering religious communities to plan for their long-term needs.
The NRRO coordinates the annual national appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious and distributes financial assistance to eligible religious communities. It is sponsored by the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
For more information, visit retiredreligious.org, or contact Robin Cabral, by phone at (508) 685-8899 or by email at campaign@retiredreligious.org.