Support Our Retired Priests

Support Priest Retirement Second Collection

When a priest is ordained in the Diocese of Oakland, or any diocese, he becomes a member of the family. And like all families, we take care of one and other throughout our lives. This means in the good and bad times, in health and sickness. After many long years of service to their parishes and the wider community, diocesan priests are granted retirement by the bishop -- usually this is well past the common age of 65- 68. In retirement, if they are able, most continue to serve in relief and special ministries.

As happens with all of us someday, the priest’s physical health may begin to decline. At a certain point, he well may need a deeper level of care support than he can do on his own. That is the time when the “family” steps up. In the Diocese of Oakland, that person is Carolyn Steele. Carolyn’s ministry to the Diocese is to oversee the care of our retired priests. In her own words, this is what she does.

“To begin, I assist priests through the transition into retirement and support them to live independently as long as possible. I ensure that all priests have an Advance Health Care Directive and that all end-of-life documents are created and/or updated, including funeral plans. As needs change, I advocate for them while in the hospital or during a change in health status, arrange for any necessary post-hospital care needs, assess for any necessary transitions and facilitate those transitions such as placement in assisted living/skilled nursing facility and monitor the care plan to ensure they are receiving an appropriate level of care. I also accompany them to doctor appointments when necessary. In general, I am a support available for them in their retirement years. I also keep the Vicar for Priests and Bishop informed of any health changes.”

It is the time of the year where we are reminded of the need and obligation to support our retired parish and community leaders through the Priests Retirement Fund. Please join with Parishes across the Diocese the weekend of September 12 -13, 2020, in the second collection to support this critical fund. Your generosity is a way to thank and honor these priests, who have dedicated their lives to serving.

These Diocesan priests play an important role doing relief work with their fellow priests, celebrating Mass and being called into service whenever needed. After years of parish leadership, the retired priests not only continue to serve but are able to enjoy a life of prayer, study and creative endeavors.

There are wonderful stories of priests working throughout the Diocese even after retirement. The retired priests bring relationships from their many years of ministry. For example, Rev. Paul Vassar reminds us “When you’ve been around the block, you’ve made all these connections.” He stepped in to support the Catholic Community of Pleasanton in 2019 after the death of Rev. Paul Minnihan. Continuing to serve remains important to this group of older Catholics. Msgr. Daniel Cardelli was assisting at St. Augustine Parish in Oakland in retirement, until the pandemic hit. The longtime pastor of St. Isidore Parish in Danville continues to write articles for the Bollettino and serves as the national chaplain for the Italian Catholic Federation.

Will you help the Diocese help these retired priests live full, active lives? For more stories about this stalwart group, visit The Catholic Voice at http://catholicvoiceoakland.org/2020/08-17/inthisissue8.htm

Support Priest Retirement Second Collection

Thank you for your support, and may God bless our retired priests!
The Office for Mission Advancement