Bishop Nickless urges support of Retired Religious collection

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The parishes of the Diocese of Sioux City will be conducting the Retirement Fund for Religious collection on Aug. 10 and 11. This annual appeal benefits nearly 25,000 elderly sisters, brothers, and religious order priests around the country and is sponsored by the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

In 2023, we contributed $56,577.13 to the collection! Thank you for your generosity. Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests—collectively known as women and men religious— have selflessly served for decades without significant financial compensation. However, due to escalating health-care costs, numerous U.S. religious communities face a substantial gap between their elderly members’ needs and the financial resources available for their care. Many religious orders currently experience insufficient retirement savings.

The 2023 appeal demonstrated Catholics’ tremendous generosity by raising more than $29 million. These funds from the Retirement Fund for Religious collection provided financial assistance for retirement needs for 286 U.S. religious communities.

For more information, visit retiredreligious.org. As I reflect on the ministry of women and men religious—past and present—I am grateful for the ways they have shaped my own faith. I also value the tremendous service they have offered our diocese. Perhaps you, too, recall an older religious who made a positive difference in your life. 
Donations to the Retirement Fund for Religious provide financial support that helps religious communities care for aging members while ensuring younger ones can continue the good works of their elders. I understand you are asked to support many worthy causes.

I invite you to give what you can. Most importantly, please pray for God’s continued blessing on all our women and men religious. Rest assured that they are praying for you. Thank you and may God bless you abundantly. 

Your brother in Christ,


Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City