The Diocese has asked us to support a special collection on Father’s Day (next Sunday). 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 collections for the Religious 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 priests of this diocese.
On Father’s Day as we honor fathers, grandfathers, uncles and other men who have nurtured us, please consider a generous gift to assure a worthy pension for our spiritual Fathers—the priests who serve in the Diocese of Biloxi.