The National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) announced that on Dec. 10-11, the Diocese of Columbus will hold its annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection.
Last year, the parishioners of the diocese donated $116,136 to the collection.
“The care of our aging religious presents an enormous financial responsibility,” said Sister Stephanie Still, NRRO executive director and a member of the Sisters of the Presentation, San Francisco. “It is our privilege to care for those who gave a lifetime of tireless service, and I feel we are deeply blessed by all the U.S. Catholic donors who have steadfastly contributed to this fund.”
Historically, Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests – known collectively as women and men religious – served for little to no pay. With rising health-care expenses, hundreds of U.S. religious communities face a large gap between the needs of their older members and the funds available to support their care. As a result, many now lack adequate retirement savings.
The 2021 appeal raised nearly $28.5 million nationwide, and the NRRO distributed funding to 271 U.S. religious communities. Donations also underwrite resources that help religious communities improve elder care and plan for long-term retirement needs.
The NRRO coordinates the annual national appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious and distributes financial assistance for retirement needs to eligible religious institutes. To help address the deficit in retirement funding among U.S. religious orders, Catholic bishops of the United States initiated the Retirement Fund for Religious Collection in 1988.
For more information, visit retiredreligious.org, or contact Robin Cabral, campaign director, at (508) 685-8899 or robincabral@retiredreligious.org.