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The 2025 Annual Priest Pension Collection will tale place on
Father's Day weekend
Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15Want to donate now?
Click here to make a donation by selecting "Priest Pension Fund" from the "My donation is for" list.
Resources
For parishes and communities in the Diocese the following resources are available for 2025 will be made available in April:
If you hyperlink a banner or button for an online donation, please link it to: https://dol.pllenty.com/#/
From its inception in 1856, the Diocese of London has been blessed by many priests who have devoted their lives to the vocation of priestly service. These holy men have accompanied generations of the faithful as we live our earthly lives and draw closer to the living Christ.
About the CollectionThe priesthood is a calling for life. It is also a calling for your life. When a man is ordained, he agrees to take on pastoral resonsibility for the lives of others. He accepts the very best, and very worst, of our lives. He joins couples in marriage and baptizes our children. He prays with our sick, he will pray over our dead. He visits children in school, helps feed the poor, and prays for those imprisoned literally as well as figuratively. He hears our confessions. He ignites our hearts with God’s word and love.
The priesthood is a call for life but eventually the time comes when every priest will retire. The retirement age for a priest is 70, health permitting. Even after retirement, many priests are able to continue to serve in other ways, for example: celebrating Mass at a parish when needed, serving on a committee, or writing a book of religious importance.
We, the people of the Diocese of London, are thankful for all that our priests do for us. We are determined to care for them in their elder years, as they have cared for us.
Please give generously. Every dollar collected will be professionally and independently stewarded by the St. John the Evangelist Pension Fund Society to benefit our retired priests.
If you would like to make a donation right now, simply click here. Thank you!
Please also pray for our priests be they active or retired, as well as those who have passed on.Thank you, in advance, for your caring and generosity.
A Message From Bishop Fabbro
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
When do priests retire?Since 2014, our diocese has taken up an annual collection to help meet the needs of our retired and elderly priests. We have the collection on Father’s Day, when we honour our fathers. It is fitting, on this day, that we also take time to reflect on the lifetime of service given by our priests, our spiritual “fathers” and consider their future needs.
Each year, people from every parish across our diocese have expressed the care they have for our priests and their future needs. I thank you most sincerely for donating over $283,000 last year. The average age of our priests is around 56 years. Right now is the time to plan for the future. Please give as generously as you can to this year’s collection. Your gift will be invested, expertly and independently, in a dedicated Pension Fund.
With your help, our retired and elderly priests will have a modest pension, health and dental benefits, and an annual retreat.
Your prayers are vital. I ask you to pray for our priests, and for vocations to the priesthood. Be assured that our priests are praying for you.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most. Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, C.S.B.,
Bishop of the Diocese of London /
Mgr Ronald P. Fabbro, CSB, Évêque de London
Frequently Asked Questions
Priests usually retire at the age of 70, with many continuing past retirement age.
Do priests save for their retirement?
Priests are responsible for their own savings and contribute to a registered pension plan. Even so, because of their modest salary (which affects their Canadian Pension Plan) and personal almsgiving, their savings only provide for their basic needs in retirement. Also, these savings can disappear due to a need for nursing care or medical equipment.
What is the priest pension fund used for?
The fund provides retired priests with health and dental benefits, and assistance for an annual retreat, on top of their modest pension.
Where does the collection go?
All of the donations collected, minus the costs such as envelopes and this brochure, are held by the St. John the Evangelist Pension Fund Society.How you can Support our Retired Priests
Give Now - how you can support our retired priestsYou can support our retired priests with a donation to the pension fund, and with your prayers.PRAYER
Please pray for our retired priests at the bottom of this web page. We encourage you to keep and copy and remember our priests in your prayers.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Gift of Cash or Cheque:
We invite you to place a gift of cash or cheque in the collection envelope provided by your local parish, and putting it in your parish basket. Please note: cheques should be made out to your parish.
Online Pledge:
An increasingly popular option is to make a donation online. Simply visit our diocesan website at www.dol.ca and click on the “Give Online” button on the upper right corner of the home-page. You’ll need your credit card at hand. Make sure to select “Priest Pension Fund” and then name of your parish in the boxes provided. You also have the option of pre-authorizing a monthly gift using the online giving system.
Bequest:
When you remember the Priest Pension Fund in your will, a bequest is earmarked to be distributed from your estate to the pension fund. Just a small percentage of your estate can make a lasting impact on the lives of retired priests.
Stocks, Securities, Insurance:
A donation of stocks and securities, or making the Priest Pension Fund a beneficiary of your insurance plan, may be a more efficient way to donate than cash, due to tax considerations.
Depending on how your giving is structured, you could receive tax savings while you are still alive and making donations. For more information about this kind of giving, please visit https://dol.ca/online-giving and follow the link to our online donation partner Pllenty.Prayer for Our Retired Priests
Eternal God,
Jesus Christ is the Eternal Priest,
who continually breathes new life into your church.
For the faithful service
that our brothers have offered our diocese,
we offer our gratitude
and we pray that you watch over them in their retirement.
As they offer us an example of aging with dignity,
we trust that their example and prayers,
inspire countless others to serve your people
with fidelity and courage.
Enlivened by your Spirit,
help us to proclaim your presence as we make your reign known,
where you live as one God,
forever and ever.
Amen.