Gifts & Support / Retirement Needs

Retirement Needs

Religious congregations struggle to pay for the immediate rising cost of care for their elderly members. Sisters, Priests and Brothers who are members of Religious orders are not supported by the diocese during their years of ministry, nor do they draw retirement funds from the diocese when they retire.

Many people do not know that Catholic Religious were not permitted to enter the Social Security system until 1972. Today, 28 percent of men Religious and seven percent of women Religious receive no Social Security benefits whatsoever.

Today, the average Social Security benefit for most Americans is $10,398 annually, which is often supplemented by additional money from pension plans and savings. The average Social Security benefit for Religious, however, is $3,579.

Last year the average cost of care for each Religious over the age of 70 was almost $26,000. And, nationally, there are more than 40,000 Religious who are over that age. In the congregation of St. Mary of the Springs of about 300 Sisters, 173 Sisters are over the age of 70.

The Religious who serve their church gave of their time and their lives freely, out of love for us and love for God, without consideration of compensation. The cost of their care is escalating, as it is for all the aged. It is a privilege to care for them, but we must ask others for help.

Your gift to the Dominican Sisters is a lasting tribute.

To learn more about giving opportunities, contact us by email or phone, toll-free at (877)277-0508.