My Dear People of God,
Each year you join me in striving to become better stewards of God's gifts to us in time and treasure. We call this effort the Bishop's Services Appeal.
Allow me to thank you for your continued generosity to the Church in the Diocese of Lake Charles. Through your support of the Bishop's Services Appeal, ministries such as Catholic Charities, seminary education, retreat centers, and priest retirement continue to serve the people of our diocese. Your sacrifices make these ministries possible. This last purpose, priest retirement, is where we need the most help now.
The Diocese of Lake Charles currently supports 16 priests in retirement, many of whom continue to assist our parishes and ministries despite their retirement. During the last fiscal year, the cost for health insurance and health needs for our retired priests totaled approximately $400,000. This expenditure does not include diocesan support for retirement pay and other insurance costs totaling approximately $600,000.
While the cost of seminary education is largely covered by the generosity to the Seminary Burses and interest from those invested funds, such is not the case with priest retirement. As the number of retired priests grows and healthcare costs continue to rise, the resources currently available are not sufficient to meet all future needs. Funds set aside and invested to provide for our retired priests contribute only 25% of what is needed to offset the total expense for priest retirement, which is roughly $1,000,000.
Just as previous generations provided for the priests who serve us today, we are now called to provide for those who faithfully served us in years past. Despite many challenges, we need to support our beloved senior and retired priests who have given their lives in ministry to us. Many of them have celebrated 50 or more years of priesthood, as our dedicated Monsignor Harry Greig did only recently. The following devoted priests come to mind: Father Marshall Boulet leading a retreat at Saint Charles Center; Father Whitney Miller regularly assisting in our parishes and supporting St. Louis Catholic High School; Father Roland Vaughn celebrating funerals, preserving Cajun French culture, and publishing a memoir; and Monsignor James Gaddy continuing to pastor faithfully well into his eighties.
These examples represent only a few among many retired and senior priests whose service continues to bless our Diocese. There are so many others whose service continues to enrich our lives: Father Bert Borel in the Tribunal and our parishes; Father Don Piraro with his wisdom; Father Charles McMillin who frequently substitutes in our parishes; and Monsignor Vincent Sedita, who is seriously ill and suffers for the intentions of the Diocese. They and many others continue to grant us absolution in confession, celebrate our Masses, anoint our loved ones, baptize and marry our children, and comfort us when we mourn.
Stewardship is more than meeting expenses. It is our grateful response to God's many blessings and our commitment to care for those who have cared for us. The priests who now need our support spent decades serving our parishes, schools, hospitals, and families. It is fitting that we now assist them in their time of need. Mindful of this, I have allocated a larger portion of the Bishop's Services Appeal to the needs of priest retirement. I am sure you will agree this is a worthy project.
These needs I place before you for consideration. I personally ask every Catholic family in the Diocese of Lake Charles to prayerfully consider a generous gift to this year's appeal. 100% of your gift will support vital ministries and apostolates supported by the Bishop’s Services Appeal. The appeal has need of your support to continue its good works.
God bless all of you and your families!
