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September 11, 2022Dear Parishioners,
I always chuckle when someone asks my age and how long I have been ordained a priest. Usually, the remark following my answer involves something along the lines of: “you have a long way to retirement!” Fortunately, I hope to have many years working hard in Christ’s vineyard building up the Kingdom of God. As we know, however, there are many priests in our diocese who are retired. When a priest retires, he remains a priest. Once a priest, always a priest. While much of the administrative work ends in retirement, the life of a priest continues. Retired priests in our diocese continue to say Mass, hear Confessions, offer counseling, give the Sacrament of Anointing to the dying, and so many other acts that bring Christ to the people. Here at St. Teresa parish Fr. Bernie O’Reilly continues to provide much appreciated support and sacramental coverage.
Next weekend (September 17-18) we have our annual Senior Priest Collection as our second collection. Here are some important facts about why we have this collection. Diocesan priests retire at age 70 or later (some priests well into their 70s delay retirement to continue administering parishes in the diocese). Unlike religious order priests, who are provided for by their order; diocesan priests lose benefits such as room and board, housing allowance, car insurance and salary. Retired priests continue to have health insurance but need to pay their own Medicare part B premium. As priests we do participate in social security, but the benefits for our current retirees are very low, since their salaries were extremely low years ago.
With all that said the main source of income for retired priests comes from collections such as the Senior Priest Collection. This collection helps fund the retired priests’ pension. Today, 88 of our retired priests receive aid from that collection. Of that number, about two-thirds continue to work in parishes or other ministries. They comprise a valuable source of help and wisdom to us younger priests (especially as the number of priests continues to decline). The remaining number of retired priests live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. I ask that you prayerfully consider donating to this collection. Your donation can be a sign of gratitude for a particular priest who helped you and your family. It can also be a sign of gratitude to God for the gift of the priesthood itself. Without the priest we do not have the Mass, and without the Mass we do not have Christ in the Eucharist. Thank you for your consideration.
This weekend our local cub scouts are selling popcorn to help raise funds for their troop. We are fortunate to have Scouts here at the parish. Their oath: Duty to God and country, to other people, and to self is an important lesson to teach young people today. Finally we also are hosting a blood drive this Sunday. We have two opportunities to donate to those in need this weekend.
God bless,
Fr. Barrow
