Retired Religious Fund

Retired Religious Fund

4 Dec 2025 | Posted by: chadmin

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Soon, our parishes will participate in the annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection. This important annual appeal benefits more than 20,500 senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests who have dedicated their lives in service to the Church.

These faithful servants have long been a source of inspiration and support in our communities. I am personally grateful for the religious who helped shape my own faith journey. Perhaps you, too, have known an elderly sister, brother, or religious order priest whose quiet dedication, prayerful presence, or selfless acts left a lasting impression on your life.

Today, the challenges many of these senior religious and their communities face in meeting their retirement needs are greater than ever. Most received little to no pay for their service, and their communities struggle to cover rising health care expenses and the increasing cost of day-to-day eldercare. The financial burdens continue to grow, and the need is urgent.

Gifts to the Retirement Fund for Religious make a real, tangible difference to these many women and men religious. Contributions directly support their ongoing care today and help ensure that their communities can plan wisely for their future.

I know you are asked to support many worthy causes, and I thank you for the many ways you give. Please consider making a gift to this year’s collection if you are able—and continue to pray for all our elderly religious. They also remember us daily in their prayers.

May God bless you and your loved ones abundantly with peace and health.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
+Most Rev. Louis Tylka
Bishop of Peoria

CLICK HERE for stories on how the fund helps our retired religious.

This collection will be taken December 13-14, 2025. Checks should be made payable to St. Philomena. Electronic givers: use fund Second Collection and subfund Retirement Fund for Religious.