News

Retired collection hits record

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

"The religious are not dead; they are still alive and vital in the local church," said Sr. Mary Jo Kirt, representative for religious for the Diocese of Green Bay.

The people of the diocese recognized the contributions of religious sisters, priests and brothers through their support of the collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. The 2005 collection received $418,438.75, the highest amount ever in the annual campaign, held at parishes Dec. 10-11, 2005.

"I think there are three reasons for the success of the collection," said Sr. Kirt, parish director at Ss. Peter & Paul Parish in Hortonville. "The first is because of the fine work religious men and women have done in the diocese. Second is the generosity of our people. Our people are extremely generous for all the help that has been given to them. The third reason is (that) the people of the diocese see a need. The sisters, religious brothers and priests need to be taken care of and supported."

"The religious in this diocese are teachers and in pastoral ministry in various ways," she added. "I serve as a parish director; we have sisters, brothers and priests serving in our parishes and in other ministries. Br. Steve Herro (O.Praem.), for example, serves in our diocesan office awakening people to social justice. The religious are leading people in our diocese in prayer, which is especially important when there is no priestly presence in the parish."

Sr. Kirt also noted the contributions of the religious in the missions.

"We have had sisters serving in Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and elsewhere who have reminded us that the church is bigger than Green Bay," she said. "We are here, ministering to people and also leading our people to a broader experience with God."

The generosity of the people of the diocese is among the best in the country, she added.

"We are probably the most generous diocese when considering the amount per person," said Sr. Kirt. "I believe the television spot that ran this year helped. Each sister who appeared in the spot spoke from her heart. Sisters speaking in parishes also helped."

"There isn't a goal," she said. "We appreciate whatever support we receive, and this year it was amazing."