The collection achieved the extraordinary level as 91 dioceses increased over last year their gifts to support retired members of religious orders of sisters, brothers and priests. Bishop Fiorenza said Catholics responded as soon as they heard of the crisis. Catholics learned about this need in the late '80s and took the dramatic position of standing with the orders who unstintingly serve our church. Generous donations have made a strong statement that U.S. Catholics never will forget all that these elderly religious do for them now and did for many years before. No other church collection has been supported as consistently and generously as this one.
Contributions come primarily through a collection in parishes on the second weekend in Advent.
The collection operates with low overhead. Arthur Andersen Inc. Sister Mary Leahy, National Director of the National Religious Retirement Office, credited the work of vicars for religious and diocesan coordinators who organize local efforts and arrange for religious to speak at Masses, a key to the appeal's success. They are vital to linking our efforts to the local bishops, pastors and parishioners. People in the pew see who they're helping. Dennis M. Schnurr, NCCB General Secretary, said the response shows gratitude.