Second collection to fund priests’ retirement and benefits plans
CHARLOTTE — The weekend of Sept. 19-20, the faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte will have the opportunity to show support for retired priests who have given a lifetime of service.
The Priests’ Retirement and Benefits second collection helps to support the diocese’s retired priests and fund others’ future retirement. Currently serving the Church in western North Carolina are 84 diocesan priests and 23 religious order priests, and an additional 29 priests are retired.
“Each year, we have the opportunity to respond generously and with grateful hearts to the priests who serve us faithfully in the 92 parishes and missions throughout our diocese,” said Bishop Peter Jugis in his annual letter announcing the collection. “With the annual collection to fund the priests’ retirement and benefits plans, we financially sustain these men who give their lives to preach the Gospel, to teach the Catholic faith, to lead God’s people in love, and to celebrate the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist.”
Most retired priests actually continue serving in ministry – visiting the sick in nursing homes and hospitals, counseling inmates in prisons, filling in for priests at parishes when needed, and much more.
“Retired priests pray daily for the people of the diocese, offer Mass for the intentions of parishioners, and give of their time and talent to help with confessions and Sunday Masses in parishes throughout the diocese,” Bishop Jugis said.
The goal to fund the priests’ retirement and benefits program for 2020 is $1.3 million. The goal is comprised of: 69 percent for pension contributions to diocesan priests’ retirement plans and retirement benefits expenses for retired diocesan priests’ health plans; 22 percent for pension contributions for religious order priests’ retirement plans; 6 percent for administrative fees; and 3 percent for fundraising costs.
The amount assessed each parish is 2.3 percent of its annual offertory income. In most parishes, the assessment amounts to 20 percent more than the weekly Sunday offertory.
Many people contribute to this second collection during the offertory at Mass, but reduced Mass schedules and seating capacities in churches because of the COVID-19 pandemic could mean fewer donations to this critical fund.
Instead, people are being encouraged to give online, mail in their donations, or drop them off at their parish offices.
“Your parish provides an envelope for this collection in the parish offertory packet it mails to you,” Bishop Jugis noted in his letter. “If you are unable to attend Mass the weekend of Sept. 20, please consider making a gift by mailing in your contribution or making a gift online.”
People can go to their parish’s website if it offers online giving, or give online www.charlottediocese.org/donate (click on “Priests’ Retirement”). Gifts made through the diocesan website will be credited to the donor’s parish.
— SueAnn Howell, Catholic News Herald