Did sisters, brothers, or religious order priests make a difference in your life? You can now make a difference in their retirement by giving generously to the Retirement Fund for Religious at Mass this weekend.
In 1988, church officials established the Retirement Fund for Religious (RFR). The National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO), which sponsors the RFR appeal, returns 94 percent of donations directly to its mission, far exceeding the average nonprofit in the percentage of donations applied directly to mission. Special grant awards are used to meet emergency needs. Since it was established, the NRRO has expanded its services to assist strategic planning for retirement; the office tracts emerging trends in elder care, property utilization and publicly-funded programs. The NRRO database is one of the most complete sources of information about the status of religious life in the United States.
For generations, the care of elderly members of religious institutes had been carried out by younger members of those congregations.
Today, however, retired religious far outnumber those still engaged in active ministry. Health care costs have skyrocketed and the number of elderly religious living in assisted living or nursing facilities has risen dramatically. While costs for care in a skilled nursing facility in the U.S. average more that $65,000 annually, religious institutes have kept their average cost of skilled nursing care to $49,850. Retired religious today receive on average one-third of the Social Security benefit paid to the average Social Security recipient.
The theme of this year’s collection is once again “Share in the Care.” And indeed, this is what the religious are asking of the faithful. They are not asking for anyone to assume the full burden or provide a handout. Rather, those who have selflessly served the faithful are asking the laity to share in their efforts to support their retired members.
Catholic schools, hospitals, nursing homes and social agencies that exist here in Rhode Island were all founded and/or staffed by religious orders. The quality of the services - which the religious continue to provide - is a tribute to the legacy of these dedicated men and women religious whose salaries and stipends were forwarded to religious orders to support its members and new ministries.
The retirement fund collection will take place the weekend of December 8-9.
“We appeal to you once again to contribute as generously as possible,” said St. Chretienne Sister Jacqueline Dickey, diocesan director of the Office for Religious. “In return, the religious of the diocese will remember the faithful in their prayers and ask the Lord to bless their families. God’s generosity always surpasses ours.”
Last year, the Diocese of Providence contributed $255,172 - a more than 14 percent increase from donations of $223,765 in 2005 and more than 18 percent of $214,775 donated in 2004. The total collected over 18 years is $4,175,300.
