GREENSBORO — Churches across the Diocese of Charlotte will take up a special collection Sept. 24-25 to support the diocese’s retired priests including Father Robert “Bob” Ferris – who at 84 is still on the road most weekends saying Mass and providing pastoral support at Catholic churches across western North Carolina.
Known affectionately as “Padre Dad,” because he became a priest late in life after having a family, Father Ferris traverses the diocese, stepping in for busy priests called away or in need of time off. He regularly celebrates Mass at Our Lady of Grace Church near his home in Greensboro.
Like many retired priests, Father Ferris fills his days providing spiritual direction, leading mini retreats at parishes, speaking to groups, and assisting at Cursillo retreats. He also makes house calls to hear confessions and bring homebound parishioners Holy Communion. Occasionally, he celebrates Mass at the Pennybyrn retirement community in High Point.
“I don’t want to stop until God calls me home!” Father Ferris says.
The diocese needs to raise $1.7 million in this year’s collection for retired priests, to stay on track to provide future pension income and supplemental retiree health insurance for the 125 priests serving the Church in western North Carolina. Parishioner gifts are the primary source of funding and the annual amount needed is calculated by actuaries factoring in inflation and growth of the diocese’s pension and health trusts. The funds also help support the diocese’s 36 retired priests.
Serving as a priest for 22 years, Father Ferris was ordained in 2001, many years after his beloved wife Mary Kay passed away. He has six grown children, 10 grandchildren and a great-grandchild due in February.
The former pastor of St. Aloysius Parish in Hickory, Father Ferris officially retired in 2014 but finds himself regularly assisting at parishes throughout the Triad and across western North Carolina.
“When I was at St. Aloysius Parish, I got tired, as I was up early and out late a lot,” Father Ferris says. “But I never wanted to stop administrating the sacraments upon retirement.”
Over the past eight years since he retired, he has been able to set more of his own schedule and get a bit more rest. He also spends more quality time with his family.
“My grandkids know me now,” he says. “I can celebrate Mass with them, attend birthday parties and family celebrations.”
Still, Father Ferris wants to continue serving the diocese as long as God allows. “I tell Him, ‘Lord, you give me the good health and the people, and I’ll work for you.’”
In a letter to the faithful, Bishop Peter Jugis urges parishioners to support the annual Priests’ Retirement Benefits Collection, noting that retired priests like Father Ferris, “remain ‘In Service to All,’ and now we can respond with gratitude.”
— SueAnn Howell
Priests’ Retirement Benefits Collection facts
- The Priests’ Retirement Benefits Collection provides for the future pension income and retiree health benefits of the 125 priests serving the Church in western North Carolina, as well as 36 retired priests.
- The 2022 goal is $1.7 million.
- Contributions will help fund the diocese’s Priests Pension Trust and Retired Priests Health Plan Trust, as well as retirement programs of religious orders and other dioceses that are providing priests to serve in parishes of the Diocese of Charlotte.
- For parishioners unable to attend Mass the weekend of Sept. 24-25, a gift can be made by mail or online. Please mail checks to Priests’ Retirement Fund, Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C., 28203. Online, please go to your parish website if it offers online giving or visit www.charlottediocese.org/donate, then click “Priests’ Retirement & Benefits Collection.” Your gift will be credited to your parish.