TOP PHOTO: Sister of St. Joseph Marcy Springer, the longtime director of Francis House of Prayer, Allentown, greets Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., following a Mass in 2024. Many religious continue to minister well beyond what the business world considers retirement age. They continue to be a blessing and the Religious Retirement Collection helps to ensure that they will be properly cared for in their retirement years. Mike Ehrmann photo
The National Religious Retirement Office has expressed its gratitude to Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and the Diocese of Trenton for their generous support of the 2025 Retirement Fund for Religious.
According to the office, members of the Diocese contributed $242,748.54 from its November collection, helping bring its total contributions to more than $12.4 million since the national appeal began.
In a letter, John Knutsen, director of the Religious Retirement Fund, praised the continued generosity of local parishioners.
“Please extend our heartfelt gratitude to your parishioners for their ongoing support of senior religious and their communities,” Knutsen said. “Generosity to the collection enables our office to distribute financial and educational assistance that help religious communities provide for older members while continuing to serve the people of God.”
Knutsen noted that proceeds from the fund provide critical assistance for medications, nursing care, and other daily necessities for aging religious. In addition, a portion of the appeal supports programs and education aimed at long-term retirement planning, helping communities reduce costs, improve elder care, and identify new sources of income.
“Joined with over 21,000 elderly sisters, brothers and religious order priests who benefit from the fund, I offer a daily prayer of thanksgiving for all whose love and sacrifice make the work of our office possible,” he added. “May God bless you and your parishioners.”
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