This weekend of our parishes will be conducting the collection for the national Retirement Fund for Religious. Religious communities of women and men were devoted to establishing Catholic schools, hospitals, and charitable agencies. Often this progress came at great sacrifice, and many older sisters, brothers, and religious order priests served for little to no pay.
 
 Escalating healthcare costs and a lack of traditional retirement plans have created financial challenges for many religious communities. The Retirement Fund for Religious addresses this need, supporting more than 19,000 religious over the age of 70. In 2024, the average annual cost for their care was roughly $56,600 per person. With skilled nursing care, the average cost was $96,000.
 
 In 2024, parishioners in our diocese contributed $95,604.36 to the collection. That same year, a combined total of $275,924 from this national fund was distributed to assist five communities in our diocese: the Benedictine sisters at St. Scholastica Priory, the Religious Venerini Sisters, Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Joseph’s Abbey, and St. Mary’s Monastery. That would not have been possible were it not for this national fund.
 
 Just as our annual Celebrate Priesthood event helps our diocese to care for its retired diocesan priests, this national collection assists many religious communities to provide for aging members.  Pope Francis wrote, “there is no retirement age from the work of proclaiming the Gospel.” While this annual collection assists those who have retired from their careers, they never retire from their vows and keep the needs of the people they served for a lifetime in their daily prayers.
 
 I recognize this is but one of numerous worthy causes in need of assistance in this season; I ask simply that you consider giving to those who have given a lifetime. If you are unable to donate at Mass, please mail your gift to your parish, donate through your parish’s online giving platform, if available, or donate at the diocesan website worcesterdiocese.org. In gratitude for their faithful service, please join me in supporting the Retirement Fund for Religious and in praying for God’s blessing on our nation’s elderly and infirm religious women and men.
 
 With every prayerful best wish, I remain
 
 Sincerely yours in Christ,
 
 Most Reverend Robert J. McManus
 Bishop of Worcester

 Responsorial: Psalm 

R. (cf. Is 35:4)  Lord, come and save us.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD God keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Lord, come and save us.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD gives sight to the blind;
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers.
R. Lord, come and save us.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations.
R. Lord, come and save us.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

Be patient, brothers and sisters,
until the coming of the Lord.
See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,
being patient with it
until it receives the early and the late rains.
You too must be patient.
Make your hearts firm,
because the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another,
that you may not be judged.
Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates.
Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters,
the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

 

Christians, to the Paschal Victim
            Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems.
            Christ, who only is sinless,
            Reconciles sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:
            The prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Speak, Mary, declaring
            What you saw, wayfaring.
“The tomb of Christ, who is living,
            The glory of Jesus’ resurrection.
bright angels attesting,
            The shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope arises.
            to Galilee he goes before you.”
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.
            Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!
            Amen. Alleluia.

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ,
he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question,
"Are you the one who is to come,
or should we look for another?"
Jesus said to them in reply,
"Go and tell John what you hear and see:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear,
the dead are raised,
and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."

As they were going off,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,
"What did you go out to the desert to see?
A reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in fine clothing?
Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.
Then why did you go out?  To see a prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.
Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Most gracious Lord, we ask your blessing upon the Religious Education program of our beloved parish of St. John’s.  Please allow Your love and grace to flow freely and permeate the hearts and souls of our students and their families.  Holy Spirit allow your gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Piety to flourish in our Catechists as they pass on the teachings of Your Church to our students.  Bless our volunteers for their generosity and loyalty which keeps our program operating properly. St. Joseph, intercede for our parents in this time so that they will recognize and accept their role as leaders of the Domestic Church. 

We praise and honor you our Triune God, Father, Son and Spirit.  Amen

St. Gemma Galgani, patron of students, pray for us.