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World day for elderly to include support for 'treasure' of retired, infirm priests
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July 11, 2022BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., HAS ESTABLISHED a new special annual collection that will be held in all parishes July 23 and 24 to benefit the retired, elderly and infirm priests in the Diocese of Trenton. The collection will coincide with the second annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, and will be a way for the faithful to support our “spiritual fathers and grandfathers” in the Diocese.
In a message released July 11, Bishop O’Connell explained the need: “Twenty-five years ago, there were 12 retired priests in the Diocese of Trenton. Today there are 75. Five years from now, there will be over 100 retired priests here. We face a shortage of resources to provide for the basic needs of this quickly growing group.”
The Bishop further noted that proceeds of the fund will be used for the ongoing operations of Villa Vianney, the Diocese’s current retirement facility in Lawrenceville; to look for new properties that can be developed to accommodate the greater number of retired priests, and to provide adequate nursing care for those priests who require it.
Bishop O’Connell asks that the clergy and laity of the Diocese respond generously to this new collection in recognition of all these priests have given to the Church, and their place as “treasures in God’s family.”
The full text of Bishop O’Connell’s message can be read HERE.