Sister Janice Bader, CPPS, executive director of the national Religious Retirement Office in Washington, D.C., wrote that the 2010 contribution brings the diocesan contribution to more than $2.8 million over the 23 years of the collection. “The contributions from your diocese are up nearly $10,000 compared to the prior year,” she wrote.

The Retirement Fund for Religious benefits women and men who, as vowed members of Catholic religious communities, have dedicated their lives to prayer and ministry. The fund benefits both contemplative and active religious communities. Today, nearly 35,000 religious, mostly women, are past age 70. More than 5,600 need skilled nursing care.

“Even as they age, their commitment to the ministry of their community, their prayer and spiritual life are vibrant testimony to the faithfulness they promised so many years ago,” Sister Janice wrote. “Your commitment to them is a heartfelt testimony to their faithfulness. … You can surely rely on the prayers of the over 34,000 religious now over age 70 and the ever-increasing numbers of religious who will be retiring very soon.”