Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., is again inviting parishioners in the Diocese of Trenton to support the second annual collection for the Retired, Elderly and Infirm Priests Fund scheduled for Masses July 22 and 23. The collection is part of the diocesan observance of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly – established in 2021 by Pope Francis to be held on or near the Feast of Jesus’ own grandparents, Saints Joachim and Anne. The collection, which will be taken up in all Catholic churches across Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties, will be used to help fund the needs of the retired and elderly priests of the Diocese whose numbers have now reached 85.
In announcing this year’s collection, Bishop O’Connell stated, “As we celebrate the feast of the grandparents of Jesus, I am also mindful of the priests of the Diocese who have ‘borne the heat of the day’ in our parishes and institutions, serving and ministering to us and who are now retired. They are truly our ‘spiritual grandparents’. Many continue to offer Masses and share the Sacraments in our parishes.
“As Bishop, I invite all the clergy and faithful of the Diocese, once again, to show the generosity for which I have come to know you so well by contributing to the annual collection for the retired, elderly and infirm priests of the Diocese. They, too, deserve our love and gratitude in their twilight years!”
Last year, the newly established collection was held in all but three parishes of the Diocese, raising nearly $235K. Calling the support “extraordinary for a first time collection,” the Diocese’s Chief Financial Officer Kevin Cimei explained that the funds were directed toward providing living space for the growing number of retired priests. He noted that the collection’s proceeds were directed to the development of the new Villa St. Denis retirement residence in Manasquan as well as operations costs at Villa Vianney, the Diocese’s retirement facility in Lawrenceville.