Easing financial stress for retired priests is key priority of campaign

For priests, as is the case with the majority of Americans, retirement is one of life’s more significant milestones. It comes after they’ve devoted most of their lives to being the spiritual leaders of their faith.

But for the 35 priests in the Diocese of Sacramento who are currently retired, and a growing number facing retirement in the not too distant future, that milestone comes with a fair share of financial challenges.

It was with this in mind that when the diocese launched its $50 million capital campaign, “Preserving Our Past, Building Our Future,” in September, support for priests’ retirement and housing was a high priority.

“The priests retirement trust has been a concern for many years, and housing for retired priests who choose to live together in community has also been an expressed need,” according to Msgr. Robert Walton, vicar general of the diocese.

He said that actuarial studies have determined that a $5 million contribution from the campaign to the priests’ retirement trust will enable the diocese to offer consistent cost of living increases to the growing number of retiring priests. Currently premiums paid into the trust by parishes and institutions provide for an increase every five or six years.

“We wanted to be much more predictable than that,” he noted.

Father Ignatius Haran, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Folsom and chairman of the priests retirement trust, agrees that an infusion of funds into the trust “is very badly needed.”

The priests’ retirement trust was established in 1971, supported by priests in the early years and later funded by parishes. Because the retirement plan multiplied a set amount by the number of years priests were in the plan, those retiring a short time after the fund was set up received less support.

“There is little for them in Social Security, and, of course, they don’t have a house to live in,” Father Haran said. “The priests who are suffering are those who retired 10 or 15 years ago.”

Prior to the trust’s establishment, priests stayed on of necessity at their rectory, bypassing retirement due to limited finances.

Father Haran said that even with the much-needed trust fund, priests typically need to do some serious financial planning to make ends meet following retirement.

Adding to the need is the fact that there are approximately 30 priests working full time who have reached the age of 65, and 13 of this group are over 70 and five are over 75.

“A big selling point in the capital campaign at St. John the Baptist is priests’ retirement,” Father Haran said.

In addition to proving financial support for the priests’ retirement trust, the capital campaign will designate $2 million to fund the construction of a retirement village for retired priests adjacent to Christ the King Retreat Center in Citrus Heights.

The phased project, which will be built on land already owned by the diocese, will feature construction of 24 independent living units and a community building surrounded by oak trees. The community building will include a chapel, a living/recreation room, dining facility, kitchen, two guest rooms, and parlor.

“The retirement village eliminates for some a big question: Where do I live, where do I go?” Msgr. Walton said. “We want the transition from active ministry to senior ministry in retirement to be a seamless process.”

Father Ronan Brennan, vicar for retired priests of the diocese, officially retired in 1992. Not one to let the grass grow under his feet, he hits the road most every weekend, filling in for priests who are ill, on vacation or on sabbatical, in parishes throughout the diocese.

“Wherever you go, you meet nice people,” Father Brennan said, adding that recent trips have taken him to Dunsmuir, Maxwell, Arbuckle and Williams. “When you go in as a stranger, there is nearly always an invitation to dinner,” he noted.

In his work as vicar, he acts as a resource for priests with questions regarding such issues as Social Security, Medicare, and long-term care. He tries to pay an annual visit to retired priests “except for the few living in Ireland I won’t be driving to see.”

He also celebrates Mass at six skilled nursing facilities near his home in Auburn, at nearby Mercy Center, and serves as chaplain for the Legion of Mary.

Father Brennan said a boost to the retirement trust is “very much needed,” and a retirement village is such a great idea he’s already applied for a unit.

“I think the first eight units will be gone right way,” he said. “It’s a healthy concept, a place you can pray together, and provides all kinds of options for your time.”

Msgr. Patrick Nolan retired in 1994 after serving as pastor of St. Philomene Parish in Sacramento. He readily acknowledges that the word retirement “may be misleading” in his case, as he has since served as director of Catholic cemeteries and in other diocesan assignments.

Msgr. Nolan currently keeps active celebrating healing Masses, pro-life Masses and the 5 p.m. weekday Mass in the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament chapel at St. Philomene.

“I was always going gung-ho all the time and still am,” he said, adding with a hearty chuckle, “I don’t have a day off anymore.”

Msgr. Nolan said the retirement village affords senior priests the option of living alone as has been their custom, enhanced by a communal component.

“It gives you a chance at independent living, and priests are interested in independence,” he said. “If a fellow wants to cook, he can do it.”

Construction of the first eight units and the community building are expected to begin in the spring.

Copyright © 2001 Diocese of Sacramento - All Rights Reserved

[Catholic Herald - Cover Page]