MADISON — God has granted us many gifts throughout our lives, including the important gift of faith.
Good and hard-working priests across our diocese have played a significant role in making the sacraments available to us throughout a lifetime. The Bless Our Priests collection is our chance to thank them for their tireless effort to serve our parishes and families.
As more and more of our diocesan priests reach retirement age, the support needed amplifies. Not only do they need your continued prayers, but they also need your financial support of the Bless Our Priests collection.
While some retired priests are able to continue to work in parishes or fill in for priests while they take well-deserved time off, for health reasons some are unable to continue to actively serve.
The Bless Our Priests collection helps fund the St. Raphael Society Clergy Retirement Fund. The Bless Our Priests collection is the only diocesan collection conducted to support the St. Raphael Fund. Your contributions to the Bless Our Priests collection provides for retirement benefits and helps with the rising costs of health care that seriously challenge the quality of the priests’ retirement.
Each year in early December, the Bless Our Priest collection is held diocesan-wide. This year the collection weekend in parishes is December 8 to 9. Consider how you can help support our retired priests now and in the future. A brochure and envelope explaining the collection will be available at parishes this weekend. There will also be an envelope in the December 13th issue of the Catholic Herald.
Your support both spiritually and financially is invaluable to the future of our retired priests. Please support the Bless Our Priests collection on December 8 to 9. Help us serve those who have faithfully served us for so many years.
May God bless you during this beautiful and holy Advent season.
For more information on the Bless Our Priests collection contact:
Office of Stewardship and Development
Diocese of Madison
702 S. High Point Road
Madison, WI 53719
608-821-3039