On the Third Sunday of Advent, each year, we do something special in the life of St. Anselm parish....we take up a special collection.  You know that as part of our Stewardship Practices that we don't usually take up second or "special" collections.  However, each year we have a special opportunity to honor the memory of so many Retired Religious Sisters and Brothers and Priests who have served for years and years for minimal recompense.  So, these dedicated men and women who have served the Church for so many years, are now in need of desperate help.  

This annual collection will help to support thousands of retired Religious throughout the United States.

I can tell you the story of one religious priest, Father Ted Hesburgh C.S.C. a former president of the University of Notre Dame.  I first met Fr. Ted in 1980, as a young graduate student at Notre Dame, and a seminarian for the Congregation of Holy Cross.  Later on, in my formation, I was asked to help Fr. Ted with the many weddings he was asked to celebrate at Notre Dame for alumni and other couples.  I was asked to do the rehearsals for Fr. Ted, to schmooze with the couple and their family, and basically to serve as Master of Ceremonies for Fr. Ted.   I can tell you that I had a very busy year helping Fr. Ted.

Fr. Ted is now 97 years old....he's blind....and lives at the Nursing Center for Holy Cross Religious....on the campus of Notre Dame.  He's still mentally sharp, but the blindness has slowed him down considerably.  He's been a priest for almost 70 years!  Do a Google search of his name to see and read about some of his remarkable accomplishments in the United States history.

All of this time, he lived a life of poverty, celibacy, and obedience. 

We can help Fr. Ted, and many thousands of other Retired Religious Priests, Nuns, and Brothers. 

In this time of Christmas Giving, your gift to the Collection for Retired Religious makes a great contribution.  Thank you for your help to this great cause!

God bless!

Fr. Gene