This past weekend, December 10-11, parishes throughout the United States took up a collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Sister Benita Coffey and Sister Kathleen Maloney each presented an appeal to parishoners; Sister Kathleen at St. Peter's Parish in Skokie, where she is the Pastoral Associate, and Sister Benita at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Rogers Park. This annual appeal is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office and distributes financial assistance for retirement needs to eligible religious institutes.

The average age of Religious in the United States has been increasing for many years; the median age of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago is 78 years. Sister Mary Alice Setnicar will celebrate her 100th birthday on December 25th. The youngest member of the community, Sister Belinda Monahan, is in her early forties. Sisters of retirement age, in the United States as well as in our community, now outnumber younger Sisters who are able to work. Many of the older Sisters spent countless years in service, teaching schools or working in hospitals for minimal stipends with little thought of saving for retirement. The funds donated to the collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious provides religious institutes, including the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, with vital support for the current and future care of elder members.

 

Both Sister Kathy and Sister Benita reflected on the work done by the retired Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery. They both also described the many ways the retired Sisters continue to serve the community: Sister Mercedes Moore in crocheting afghans and scarves, Sister Amy Campbell volunteering in the business office, Sister Anne Krall in helping with the dishes in the infirmary; all of them joining in prayer for our community and the world. Sister Kathy spoke of the retired religious as having been messengers in preparing the way of the Lord; Sister Benita described their efforts to "make straight a highway for our God." The Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, along with many other religious communities in the United States, are grateful for the support given by many which enables us to continue to care for our aging Sisters.