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), we 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 47 retired 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:
Our late pastor emeritus, Msgr. Joseph Milani, regularly visited the kindergarten class at our school for many years after his retirement and continued to celebrate mass for our parish community until the beginning of 2020. He also loved taking part in parish events, such as the school graduation and the Chinese New Year celebration.
Msgr. Michael Mitchell, former CFO of the diocese and resident at St. Joseph of Cupertino Rectory, volunteers as the public speaking instructor for our school students as well as the presider at masses outside the parish.
Msgr. Mitchell resides with 5 other retired priests at the St. Joseph of Cupertino Retirement Center, located at the end of our parish property. Our parish has been blessed by the presence of these retired priests, who have often assisted us at parish reconciliation services...
Our retired priests rely on their minimal Social Security since they were paid a very modest wage and the Priest Retirement Plan payments for 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.
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