The diocese has asked us to support a special collection on Father’s Day.  It is important for you to know that this collection is for retired diocesan priests in this diocese.  Diocesan priests are provided a modest pension in their golden years by an endowment to which parishes pay a yearly assessment.  In addition, priests who are in their senior years receive a small pension through Catholic Sharing Appeal. 
In our diocese, the population of priests is aging.  The endowment fund has seen a decline over the years in investment returns.  The cost of living has increased.  These factors led to the decision to take up this special collection.
There are two other collections during the year—one is for Aged and Infirm Priests and the other is for Retired Religious.  Neither of these collections provides funding for aged and retired priest of this diocese.
As we honor fathers, grandfathers, uncles and other men who have nurtured us on this Father’s Day, please consider a generous gift to assure a worthy pension for our spiritual Fathers—the priests who serve in the Diocese of Biloxi.  If you have misplaced your envelope, extra envelopes or a plain envelope may be found on the display cases in church—just mark your donation “Help for Aging Priests.”