November 10, 2004

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
bbunce@archdpdx.org

Retirement Fund for Religious – Share in the Care

        The annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious will be taken in the parishes of the Archdiocese of Portland the weekend of December 11 – 12. The collection provides grants to religious orders of men and women that assist with the cost of providing skilled and assisted living care for retired religious. There are almost 40,000 Catholic religious in the Untied States who are past the age of 70 years old. The theme for this year’s collection is “Share in the Care.”

        The crisis in unfunded retirement for members of religious orders became evident in the early 1970’s. Prior to that time, care of elderly members of a religious order was taken care of by the new members entering the order. Most Catholic schools and Catholic hospitals were operated and sponsored by religious orders. The salaries and stipends given to the religious were earmarked for the good works of the community, new ministries and the training and education of new members. Today, elderly religious who are retired from paid ministry far outnumber wage earning religious. The number of religious living in health care and assisted living facilities has greatly increased, and the retired religious face skyrocketing health care costs.

        The collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious was established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1988. Last year the national collection received more than $28 million for assistance to members of religious orders. Catholics in the Archdiocese of Portland contributed more than $177,300 last year. The Fund distributes “basic” grants to religious orders to assist the order with unfunded retirement needs of its members. This past year 541 religious institutes across the U.S. received basic grants. Seven of those basic grants were given to religious orders in the Archdiocese of Portland:

Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon - $16,018
Sisters of the Holy Names - $67,085
Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel - $15,923
Sisters Adorers of the Holy Cross - $2,031
Trappist Abbey of Guadalupe - $18,537
Society of Jesus (Jesuits) - $60,875
Benedictines of Mt. Angel Abbey - $16,433

        Catholics in western Oregon are asked to be as generous as possible in their support for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Members of religious orders have made great contributions to the life of the Church in this Archdiocese from its very beginnings. This collection is one way that Catholics can now make a contribution to supporting the elderly members of these religious orders.

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