Dec. 8-9 collection provides aid to retired religious

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
    In his Prayer for Generosity, St. Ignatius of Loyola asks for guidance in living selflessly.  “Teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost… to labor and not to ask for reward, save that of knowing that I do your will.”
    This prayer comes to mind as I reflect on the faithful service of our nation’s elder religious.  These women and men – Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests – never stopped to count the cost as they educated the young, cared for the sick and sought justice for the oppressed.  In so doing, they made an inestimable contribution to the Church in the United States, establishing Catholic schools, hospitals, and social-service agencies.
    Today, many senior religious continue to manifest God’s love and generosity by serving in a wide range of volunteer activities.  Others, though sometimes frail and infirm, remain dedicated to a ministry of prayer.  Nearly all are challenged by the rising cost of care.  Most elder religious worked for years for small stipends, leaving a substantial gap in retirement savings.  A majority of religious communities now struggle to provide necessary medications, nursing care, and basic services for their older members.
    Soon our parishes will be conducting the annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious, an opportunity for each of us to emulate the generosity exemplified by our senior religious.  I understand many of you have financial difficulties of your own; I ask simply that you give what you can.  Please join me in supporting the Retirement Fund for Religious and in praying for God’s continued blessing on our nation’s elderly sisters, brothers, and religious order priests.
    Wishing you God’s blessings and with the assurance of my prayers, I am,
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond
Archbishop of New Orleans