Senior Priest Retirement Fund

The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus Christ."  -  St. John Marie Vianney

Each morning we priests hold in our hands the Christ Who shed Blood from His veins, tears from His Eyes and sweat from His Body to sanctify us.  How we should be on fire with that love, that we may enkindle it in others!”  - Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen

2024 Priest Retirement Fund collection dates
 - - the weekend of September 14 and 15

Thank you and God bless you for your generous support!

GIVE NOW

The Priest Retirement Fund is the primary means by which those Catholic Priests who have served for decades in the Diocese of Providence are cared for in their later years - - years that are spent in active ministry.
 

The Service Continues

For years after parish and other assignments, priests in the Diocese of Providence continue to serve Christ and the faithful through many selfless efforts.

Many may not realize that our diocesan priests live independently in retirement. After active ministry, they no longer rely upon their parishes for support. In other words, with retirement the room and board stops. And since they were paid a very modest wage, they receive a minimal Social Security benefit. So, to help retired priests meet everyday needs like food, housing, transportation, and health care, our diocese established the Senior Priest Retirement Fund in the mid-nineteen-sixties.
 

The Financial Challenges

But as with other retirement benefit programs—such as Social Security—the Fund is challenged by increasing current and projected costs that exceed its income. That’s because, like the general population, priests are living longer, more active lives, placing a greater demand on retirement resources.

One does not enter the priesthood for the financial benefits, that’s for sure. Like other vocations that are lived in service to others — such as marriage and parenthood — priesthood is about giving, not taking. In fact, even in retirement many of our senior priests continue to serve in various ministries throughout the diocese. Often retiring between ages 70 and 75, they still serve where they’re needed. And of course there are those who require assisted living, or nursing home care.
 

Funding Sources

The Senior Priest Retirement Fund receives revenue from five sources: the Catholic Charity Appeal; the Diocesan General Fund; gifts and bequests; the annual Our Lady Queen of the Clergy parish/agency assessment based on each active priest; and the upcoming annual diocesan collection. This fund’s strength is important not just for those who depend on it today, but also for those who will rely upon it in the years ahead. There are increasing challenges that this fund will need to meet in the near future.

Your help is needed today

All donations to the Senior Priest Retirement Fund 
 remain in the Diocese of Providence to serve diocesan priests in retirement.

 Thank you!

Senior priests are self-supporting

Diocesan priests live independently in retirement, no longer relying upon the support of a parish. Since they are paid a modest wage during their years in active ministry, priests receive a minimal Social Security benefit. In 1966, the diocese established the Senior Priest Retirement Fund in an effort to help retired priests meet the basic needs of food, housing, transportation and medical care.

Often retiring between ages 70-75, many continue to serve after more than forty years of active ministry. Still others require assisted living, or nursing home care.
 

We face an important challenge

As with other retirement benefit programs—such as Social Security— the fund is burdened by increasing current and projected costs that exceed its income. Priests are living longer, more active lives. A large percentage of priests in the diocese are nearing retirement age. The rate of those drawing on the fund is projected to only increase in the foreseeable future: in fifteen years some 50 percent of our priests presently active in ministry will be eligible for retirement. 

Fewer active priests also impacts fund revenues since one revenue source is a premium (from parish assessments) that is based on current active priests.
 

Our generosity answers that challenge—and says thanks

This annual collection is a major support for our retired priests.

With a thoughtful, generous contribution we can help the Senior Priest Retirement Fund meet its obligations to those who depend on it for today and tomorrow. It’s also our way of thanking them for their many years of faithful service.

Please consider a generous gift to the Senior Priest Retirement Fund Second Collection at Masses throughout the diocese annually the third weekend in September.

Click here to help our retired priests

Almighty and eternal God, in your unfailing love you provide ministers for your Church.
We pray for those whom you call to serve the Church of Providence as priests.
Inspire in them a generous response. Grant them courage and vision to serve your people.
May their lives and service call your people to respond to the presence of your Spirit among us that, faithful to the Gospel and hope of Jesus the Christ, we may: announce glad tidings to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives, set prisoners free, and renew the face of the earth.
Amen

Make an online donation
To make your gift online, click here to use our secure server.

Make a gift by mail
Please make check or money order payable to 'Priest Retirement Fund' and send to:
   Diocese of Providence Priest Retirement Fund
   One Cathedral Square
   Providence, RI 02903

Consider Planned Legacy Giving
Click here to learn more about planned giving to benefit our senior priests today and tomorrow.

Make an in-Parish Donation
Donate in your parish the third weekend of September.

Thank you and God Bless!