November 28, 2022—The National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) announces that on Dec. 10-11, 2022, the Diocese of St. Petersburg will hold the annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection in parishes throughout the diocese.

Last year, the parishioners of the diocese donated $180,326.86 to the collection. In 2022, the Sisters of St. Clare received a total of $46,577.06 in financial support made possible by the Retirement Fund for Religious.

“The care of our aging religious presents an enormous financial responsibility. It is our privilege to care for those who gave a lifetime of tireless service, and I feel we are deeply blessed by all the U.S. Catholic donors who have steadfastly contributed to this fund,” said Sister Stephanie Still, NRRO Executive Director and a member of the Sisters of the Presentation of San Francisco.

Historically, Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests—known collectively as women and men religious—served for little to no pay. With rising health-care expenses, hundreds of U.S. religious communities face a large gap between the needs of their older members and the funds available to support their care. As a result, many now lack adequate retirement savings.

The 2021 appeal raised nearly $28.5 million, and the NRRO distributed funding to 271 U.S. religious communities. Donations also underwrite resources that help religious communities improve elder care and plan for long-term retirement needs.

About the National Religious Retirement Office:

The National Religious Retirement Office coordinates the annual national appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious and distributes financial assistance for retirement needs to eligible religious institutes. To help address the deficit in retirement funding among U.S. religious orders, Catholic bishops of the United States initiated the Retirement Fund for Religious Collection in 1988.