Florida Catholic | Bishop Dewane's Column

Fund aids retired religious who follow God’s call

DECEMBER 7, 2007

My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Our retired religious priests, sisters and brothers have dedicated their lives to ministry, following the call of Our Lord. Their commitment is continuously carried out lovingly and unselfishly. These religious men and women only wish to serve others, never thinking about pleading for themselves.

In that regard I would like to speak for them now. Your generosity of past years in responding to the Annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection has exceeded all expectations. Even with this generosity, the annual cost of elder care continues to escalate.

With the majority of their number past their sixth decade and their projected unfunded retirement in the billions, these stewards of faith need our support.

Religious institutes continue to be challenged to meet escalating health-care costs of medicine, therapy and skilled nursing care.

With the wage earning capacity waning and fewer vocations to take the place of wage earners, the situation is critical.

Many religious institutes have divested themselves of property and spent down the resources they had. The Annual Retirement Fund for Religious contributes mightily to the challenges faced by these institutes of men and women religious.

Thank you for contributing generously when the Annual Retirement Fund for Religious is taken up in your parish the weekend of Dec. 8-9. May Almighty God bless and reward you for your generous response to this appeal.

Sincerely in Christ,

Frank J. Dewane

Bishop of Venice in Florida

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