During these unprecedented times, many are hurting and need our assistance, including our elderly priests. As we approach the annual Diocesan Priest Retirement Appeal collection on Good Shepherd Sunday (April 24-25,2021).

I encourage your continued support of this vital appeal which cares for those Catholic Priests who have served for decades in the Diocese of San Jose in their later years. 

Throughout the Diocese of San Jose, priests serve as good shepherds to their flocks (the faithful of Santa Clara County). There are 47retired priests in the Diocese and 99 others currently serving our parishes and other diocesan assignments. In addition, the Diocese has 45 priests reaching retirement age, 70 years old, in the next 15 years and 15 in just the next five years.

 While some priests “retire” when they retire, many continue to serve Christ and the faithful through some level of ministry to those throughout our Diocese

 * For example: •Monsignor Michael Mitchell, the former pastor at Saint Lawrence and former Chief Financial Officer and Vicar General for the Diocese, regularly visits school children and assists at Mass.

 •Father Kevin Joyce, the former pastor at Saint Lucy Parish, continues his ministry by assisting with Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and teaching at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park.

Our retired priests rely on their minimal Social Security since they were paid a very modest wage and the Priest Retirement Plan payments f or their living expenses and end-of-life needs. Like the general population, priests are living longer, more active lives, placing a greater demand on retirement resources. COVID-19 has only increased the challenge to provide adequate care.
Your gift to the Diocesan Priests Retirement Appeal provides vital funding for medications, nursing care, and more to these priests who have been good shepherds and have kept their promises to the faithful of the Diocese.  

In these difficult days, you may feel as though your generosity has been exhausted. I ask just two things. First, please join me in praying for God’s protection for all our elderly priests. Second, please support the Diocesan Priests Retirement Appeal as you are able—and know that priests across the Diocese hold you and your loved ones in grateful prayer.
 

ST. CHRISTOPHER PARISH
2278 Booksin Ave.
San Jose, CA 95125
408-269-2226
FAX 408-269-2784

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The Sacred Triduum 

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