The faithful will have an opportunity to help support more than 21,000 elderly members of religious congregations in the Diocese of Cleveland and around the country this weekend – Dec. 13 and 14 – through the annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection. The second collection will be taken at all Masses.
Thousands of sisters, brothers and priests from dozens of religious congregations have worked in the Cleveland Diocese since its creation 178 years ago. This includes the Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity, pictured with this story. The sisters have served as educators, in parish ministry and other ministries in the diocese. They also operate Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Euclid. Many people may not realize that for most of their lives, the Trinitarian sisters and other now elderly religious worked for little to no pay and there were no retirement plans or pensions for them.
Their religious communities ministered in the diocese, but are not part of the diocesan structure, so now they are struggling to provide for their aging members. Donations to the annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection taken up in participating dioceses and archdioceseses around the country help provide medications and care for these retired religious. It is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office, which is affiliated with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Many religious communities face a severe gap between the rising cost of care and the limited resources available. In 2024, religious past the age of 70 outnumbered younger religious by nearly three to one, and only 4% of communities reporting to the NRRO said they were adequately funded for retirement.
Since 1988, the Retirement Fund for Religious has been a lifeline for the aging religious, but the need remains urgent. In 2024, the collection raised $28.1 million, while annual care costs for senior religious exceeded $1 billion. The average annual cost to care for senior religious, as reported by the NRRO, is $56,600 per person, with skilled nursing averaging $96,000. The typical Social Security benefit for a religious is just $9,090 – less than half that of the average lay beneficiary. This gap underscores the critical importance of the national appeal.
“For decades, the faithful service of these religious has touched countless lives, including my own,” said NRRO director John Knutsen. “Through your generosity, we can help ensure they are cared for with the dignity they so rightly deserve while also living out the values of compassion and solidarity that unite us as disciples of Jesus.
“Supporting our aging religious is a profound opportunity to show gratitude for their lifetime of service, and we hear all throughout the year how deeply thankful they are for that support,” he added.
Since its inception, the collection has distributed more than $1 billion to religious institutes across the country, supporting day-to-day care and helping religious communities build up their retirement funds. It also funds educational programs for eldercare and long-term retirement planning. Every gift makes a difference, providing retired religious with the care and dignity they deserve.
For more information, click here. This weekend, donate at your local parish or make a secure online contribution here. The link also includes information about other ways to support elderly religious.