CHARLOTTE — The annual diocesan collection to fund the Priests’ Retirement and Benefits Plan will be taken up in all parishes the weekend of Sept. 25-26.
This collection provides for the future pension and retiree health benefits of the 108 priests from our diocese, other dioceses and religious order priests serving the Church in western North Carolina. An additional 25 retired priests benefit from this collection.
“The Diocese of Charlotte provides health care and other assistance that helps our retired priests so they may continue to live their vocations serving in the 92 parishes and missions throughout our diocese,” said Bishop Peter Jugis in his annual letter announcing the collection.
“These 25 retired priests, who each average more than 40 years of priestly ministry, can still be found visiting the sick and imprisoned, praying daily for the people they serve, giving of their time to help with confessions, and celebrating Mass in parishes throughout the diocese,” he noted.
Contributions will help fund the Diocese of Charlotte Priests Pension Trust, the Diocese of Charlotte Retired Priests Health Plan Trust, and the retirement programs of the religious orders and other dioceses that are providing priests to serve in our parishes.
The goal for the priests’ retirement and benefits collection for 2021 is $1.5 million.
The goal is comprised of: 75 percent for pension contributions to diocesan priests’ retirement plans and retirement benefits expenses for retired diocesan priests’ health plans; 17 percent for pension contributions for religious order priests’ retirement plans; 5 percent for administrative fees; and 3 percent for fundraising costs.
The amount assessed each parish is 3 percent of its annual offertory income. In most parishes, the assessment amounts to 20 percent more than the weekly Sunday offertory.
Many people contribute to this collection during the offertory at Mass, but reduced in-person Mass attendance due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic could mean fewer donations to this critical fund.
People are also being encouraged to give online, mail in their donations, or drop them off at their parish offices.
“If you are unable to attend Mass the weekend of Sept. 26, please consider making a gift by mailing in your contribution or making a gift online, Bishop Jugis noted in his letter. “These men remain ‘A Priest Forever’ and now we can respond with gratitude.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
Donate online
Go to your parish’s website if your parish offers online giving, or give online at www.charlottediocese.org/donate (click on “Priests’ Retirement & Benefits Collection”). Gifts made through the diocesan website will be credited to your parish.