The patron saint of priests, Saint John Vianney, once wrote “the priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.”
Priests carry out the mission of the Church by leading parishes, teaching the faith, preaching the Gospel and administering the sacraments.
From the time a man is ordained a priest he is expected to live his life with a zeal for souls and in service to others. As good shepherds, priests dedicate their lives to the pastoral care of his parishioners. They are with their people in times of joy and in times of great hardship – giving of themselves without expectation.
While they live their lives in service to others, priests face many concerns, including the needs of their lives in retirement.
A priest is required to submit his resignation at age 75. A priest does not cease being a priest once they retire even though he may stop being active in regular parish ministry.
Some priests live in a rectory or other housing provided to them, while others may live in an assisted living or nursing home, depending on health issues.
Physical health is a major concern for all priests, but even more so for those who have retired.
In order to provide care to retired priests in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Suzanne Clem, R.N., B.S.N., works as the priests’ nurse. She works to ensure every priest is cared for physically as well as spiritually in his retirement.
“I help the priests not only navigate their health concerns, but also answer questions they might have about retirement such as their insurance or benefits,” Clem said. “I will check on them if they are in the hospital or a retirement or nursing home because I want to serve these men who have spent large portions of their lives serving others.”
Clem coordinates the medical care of the retired priests and attends appointments with them to provide the best care possible.
Ensuring comfortable living arrangements and quality care to retired priests is an important goal of the archdiocese and a major aspect of the One Church, Many Disciples campaign.
A portion of funds raised through the campaign will be designated for priest retirement to make sure the men who have offered their lives in service to the Kingdom of God are able to live out their retirement comfortably, knowing they are cared for in a loving and dignified manner.
Avery Holt is the coordinator of communications for One Church, Many Disciples.
To learn more about the One Church, Many Disciples campaign and how it will support priest retirement and other ministries in the archdiocese – or to make an online gift – go to
www.onechurchmanydisciples.org.