This weekend there is a second collection for the retired priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Our retired priests have influenced many family’s lives celebrating baptisms, communions, matrimony, and anniversaries. They have also helped us in times of sickness, family stress, and funerals. This collection is solely for the retired priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago. The retired priests of the Archdiocese receive no funds from the Religious Retirement Collection taken up in December. Those funds are used for religious nuns, brothers, and religious order priests.
Normal retirement age for priests in the Archdiocese of Chicago is 70. By the end of June there will be 235 Retired Archdiocesan Priests, which represent over 30% of all the diocesan priests serving in the Archdiocese. There are 97 priests over the age of 80, and 70 of those priests still celebrate Sunday Mass weekly; perform marriages and baptisms; and visit the sick in hospitals. Also, there are 165 priests between the ages of 70 and 79 who do the same. Without these dedicated men, many parishes would not be able to offer the full range of Masses and sacraments that is currently offered.
There are two independent living residences for retired priests that are subsidized by the Archdiocese. There is space for 28 retired priests to enjoy communal living with their brother priests in retirement. All 28 rooms are currently being used. The Special Collection helps subsidize these two living facilities.
The Priests’ Retirement and Mutual Aid Association (PRMAA) cares for our retired priests. The cost for health care, prescription drugs and nursing-home care continues to increase. Funds to provide benefits for all priests come principally from an assessment tax on parish revenue. For many years these funds have not covered benefit expenses. PRMAA relies on this Special Collection to help offset the cost of caring for our senior priests. I ask all of you to show your thanks to all our retired priests by giving to this special collection.