CELEBRATE A GENERATION OF PRIESTS
They were there when we needed them for the joys and sorrows of our lives. They spread the Gospel far and wide with dedication and passion that inspired a generation of Catholics like no other time in Chicago's history. Close to 105 new parishes were added in Lake and Cook counties between 1950 and 2000. Priests were not just builders of schools and parishes, they were architects of a future that made the people of the Chicago Archdiocese unique in charity, social justice, and Catholic pride.
Many are still there for us. Over two hundred of these fine priests are now retired, but more than half hardly act "retired" as they minister in hospitals, in nursing homes, visit shut-ins and help out in many parishes due to the shortage of priests.
Others wish they could be. Retired priests are just like anyone else at their age. Increasing ailments, housing and medical needs have skyrocketed beyond our best professional estimates. And now our priests need your help.
We need each other now. A collecion for Priests' Retirement and Mutual Aid Association (PRMAA) will be taken at all Masses the weekend of June 11 and 12. Thank you for your sacrifice and generosity to the only annual collection for retired priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Know that you are remembered in the prayers of the priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago. For more information, visit www.prmaa.org or call 708-449-8026.
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LETTER FROM CARDINAL GEORGE:
COLLECTION FOR RETIRED PRIESTS NEXT WEEKEND
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On the weekend of June 11–12, 2011, we will take up a special collection for the Retired Priests of the Archdiocese.
The retired priests celebrate Mass and sacraments in hundreds of parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago. Without their dedicated service, many parishes would need to reduce the number of Masses celebrated each weekend. Some retired priests are called upon to be temporary administrators of parishes and others fill in to allow pastors some needed time off. Our senior priests do this willingly as a continuation of the many years that they have faithfully served our Church. Please join me in offering our retired priests words of appreciation and gratitude for their many years of priestly ministry.
The Priests’ Retirement and Mutual Aid Association (PRMAA) cares for our retired priests. This year, as is the case in every family, we have seen the cost of health care, prescription drugs, and nursing-home care increase. In addition, the priests’ pension fund remains seriously impacted by the economic downturn. This special collection will help us continue to support our retired priests. You may be aware that the December collection for retired men and women Religious is designated to provide only for those in Religious Orders. Archdiocesan priests do not receive any funds from this collection.
Thanks to all of our retired priests for their lives and their exemplary ministry. We are blessed to have more than one hundred retired priests ministering in our parishes. May their spirit enliven our Church!
I am thankful to all of you for your remarkable generosity in this collection last year. I ask you to repeat your kindness this year. Your donations and your prayers are a great affirmation of our retired priests. Please pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood. You and those you love are in my prayers; please keep me in yours.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
— Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago
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CARTA DEL CARDENAL GEORGE:
COLECTA PARA SACERDOTES RETIRADOS LA PRÓXIMA SEMANA
Queridos hermanos en Cristo,
En el fin de semana de 11-12 de junio de 2011 realizaremos una colecta especial para beneficiar de los Sacerdotes Retirados de la Arquidiócesis.
Los sacerdotes retirados celebran la Misa y los Sacramentos en cientos de parroquias en toda la Arquidiócesis de Chicago. Sin su servicio dedicado, numerosas parroquias necesitarían disminuir el número de Misas celebradas cada fin de semana. Algunos sacerdotes retirados son llamados para fungir como administradores temporales de parroquias y otros como sustitutos para proporcionar a pastores un necesario descanso. Nuestros sacerdotes retirados hacen esto de buena gana como continuación de los muchos años que fielmente sirvieron a nuestra Iglesia. Por favor, únanse a mí para ofrecer a nuestros sacerdotes retirados palabras de agradecimiento y gratitud por sus muchos años de labor sacerdotal.
“Priests’ Retirement and Mutual Aid Association” (PRMAA) cuida a nuestros sacerdotes retirados. Este año, nosotros, como en el caso de toda familia, hemos visto un incremento en el costo del cuidado de la salud, medicamentos de receta y cuidado en asilos para ancianos. Además, el fondo para pensiones de los sacerdotes sigue seriamente afectado por la crisis económica. Esta colecta especial nos ayudará a continuar la manutención de nuestros sacerdotes retirados. Quizás usted sepa que la colecta de diciembre para religiosos y religiosas retirados es sólo para la manutención de quienes están en Órdenes Religiosas. Los sacerdotes de la Arquidiócesis no reciben ningún fondo de esta colecta.
Me gustaría aprovechar esta oportunidad para dar las gracias a todos nuestros sacerdotes retirados por sus vidas de servicio y ejemplar labor sacerdotal. Somos bendecidos por tener más de cien sacerdotes retirados atendiendo en nuestras parroquias. ¡Que su espíritu de dedicación continúe estimulando a nuestra Iglesia!
Les agradezco a todos ustedes su gran generosidad en la colecta del año pasado. Les suplico mostrar una vez más su amabilidad este año. Sus donativos y oraciones constituyen una gran afirmación de nuestros sacerdotes retirados. Por favor, recen por un aumento en el número de llamados a la vocación del sacerdocio. Ustedes y sus seres queridos están en mis oraciones; les suplico acordarse de mí en las de ustedes.
Atentamente suyo en Cristo,
-- Cardenal Francis George, O.M.I., Arzobispo de Chicago
