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

2025 Priest Retirement Fund collection dates
 - - the weekend of September  20 and 21

Thank you and God bless you for your generous support!

GIVE NOW

Honoring a Lifetime of Service - About the Senior Priest Retirement Collection

For decades, our diocesan priests have answered God’s call with unwavering devotion — celebrating our marriages, baptizing our children, comforting us in loss, and guiding us in faith. They have given their lives to Christ and His people, offering spiritual care, compassion, and leadership in parishes, schools, hospitals, prisons, and beyond.

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!

Why Give? Because They Gave Everything 

Challenges Faced

Like the rest of the population, our priests are living longer, more active lives — which is a blessing, but one that brings significant financial strain. The cost of medical care, assisted living, and nursing home support is rising. And the number of retired priests is growing rapidly: within the next 15 years, nearly half of all active priests in the Diocese of Providence will reach retirement age.

At the same time, fewer active priests means fewer contributions to the fund through the parish-based premiums that help support it. Just like Social Security, the Senior Priest Retirement Fund faces an uncertain future if we don’t act. 

Our Gratitude Can Make the Difference 

This annual Senior Priest Retirement Collection is one of the most significant sources of support for the fund. Your generous gift helps ensure that retired priests can meet their basic needs today and in the years to come.

But more than that, your support is a way of saying thank you:

• For the early morning Masses and late-night hospital visits

• For the wisdom shared in homilies and the comfort offered in confession

• For every prayer spoken on your behalf

• For a lifetime of selfless service lived for others

They were there when we needed them. Now, they need us.

Please give with a Grateful Heart

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!