Honoring the Spiritual Legacy of Our Retired Priests
“Once a Priest, Always a Priest.”
Our senior clergy express their enduring love for the priesthood and how, even in retirement, they continue to live out their sacred calling. Through prayer and service, they remain powerful witnesses to the joy and fidelity of a life given to Christ and His Church.
An Ongoing Spiritual Legacy
They witnessed our marriages, baptized our children, and fed us daily with the Eucharist. They celebrated our milestones and offered comfort and counsel in difficult moments. Our priests are faithful, caring, capable men, who have chosen to spend their lives serving others. Most continue to serve well into their seventies and eighties. Our parish priests have been—and continue to be—our true spiritual fathers.
Many senior priests chuckle at the mention of being “retired,” as they are still busy serving, celebrating Masses and hearing confessions in local parishes.
Guided by Scripture
Care for Our Fathers
“Put your faith into practice by caring for your family, repaying your parents
and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.”
1 Timothy 5:4
As our priests age and require more care, they need our financial support.
A Practical Need
The Diocese of Bridgeport currently has 70 retired clergy, a number that is projected to rise to well over 100 priests in the next 15 years. As life expectancy improves and medical costs rise, our obligation to provide excellent care remains.
Some priests face serious medical challenges, requiring living assistance. The diocese is committed to providing care despite rising costs. Your generosity helps ensure priests age with dignity and comfort.
Perseverance in ministry
Continuing to Serve
“Even when I am old and gray, you will not forsake me, my God,
until I declare your power to the next generation”
Psalm 71:18
A Work of Mercy
Retired priests are the ‘grandfathers’ of our parish families, and while their strength wanes, our responsibility to care for them grows. Especially for our elderly and vulnerable priests, this is our opportunity to show love, tenderness, and mercy. When we provide for our priests in their time of need, we are not only performing an act of charity—we are fulfilling Christ’s command
The Queen of Clergy residence is a comfortable home for about one-third of our retired priests.
Repaying Their Service
A Spiritual Duty
“Kindness to a father will not be forgotten .”
Sirach 3:14