Besides reading the letter from the bishop this weekend asking you (and all Catholics of Arkansas) to give generously to the Christmas Collection which is the only fundraising effort each year that mostly supports the retired, sick, infirmed and in small part the active diocesan priests of Arkansas, through the "Clergy Welfare Fund," I have a somewhat unique perspective among most of our priests because of the fact I was appointed by Bishop Taylor this year as the "minister for Senior Priests" who reside outside of the official retirement home for diocesan priests on the grounds of St. John's Center in Little Rock. Besides the six retired priests who live in "St. John's Manor" (and Fr. Harvey who lives there and is the Minister for those priests) there are eleven priests who live on their own mostly scattered around Arkansas, with one living in an assisted living facility in California, one in New Mexico, and two who have retired back in their home country of Nigeria. All of these priests served in active ministry for over 40 years (and some more than that) and have retired for a number of reasons. Due to distance, I try to keep up with these priests by phone on a periodic basis. Some of them are still able to make themselves available to help parishes who need a substitute priest for a weekend's worth of Masses and for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Some have declined physically and/or mentally and face ongoing medical and other needs. As I write this, two of our senior priests are in long-term care facilities (which some of you know are getting very pricey) and one is in the hospital. I know from my contacts with them that they are ALL very appreciative of the ongoing financial and other support they receive from the Clergy Welfare Fund.
As a member of the "Clergy Welfare Priest Advisory Board" I want to tell you that this year, for the first time, the bishop has authorized money from the Clergy Welfare Fund to be offered in a limited way to help active diocesan priests who need assistance with exercise and diet programs so they can be as healthy as possible to serve in active priesthood for as long as possible. To this point only a few of our active and senior priests have requested this help, but I think the offer says that our bishop and the Catholics of Arkansas want their priests to be healthy in mind, body and spirt. Finally, if any of our active priests, due to time or burnout, need to get away for a sabbatical (break) from ministry at an approved facility or location, the costs are paid by the clergy welfare fund of Arkansas.
I hope this wider perspective will help you to appreciate how important it is for all Catholics of Arkansas to support the special Christmas collection. I can assure you that all of our priests who have or will benefit from this fund greatly appreciate your prayers and ongoing support!! God bless you and God bless our priests!!
As a member of the "Clergy Welfare Priest Advisory Board" I want to tell you that this year, for the first time, the bishop has authorized money from the Clergy Welfare Fund to be offered in a limited way to help active diocesan priests who need assistance with exercise and diet programs so they can be as healthy as possible to serve in active priesthood for as long as possible. To this point only a few of our active and senior priests have requested this help, but I think the offer says that our bishop and the Catholics of Arkansas want their priests to be healthy in mind, body and spirt. Finally, if any of our active priests, due to time or burnout, need to get away for a sabbatical (break) from ministry at an approved facility or location, the costs are paid by the clergy welfare fund of Arkansas.
I hope this wider perspective will help you to appreciate how important it is for all Catholics of Arkansas to support the special Christmas collection. I can assure you that all of our priests who have or will benefit from this fund greatly appreciate your prayers and ongoing support!! God bless you and God bless our priests!!