On December 13-14, 2014, you will have the opportunity to participate in the 2014 Retirement Fund for Religious annual appeal in the Diocese of San Angelo. Please support this collection as generously as you have done in the past. A recent study shows that while unfunded retirement liability remains profound, progress is being made toward narrowing the gap between retirement needs and available funding. Additionally, the National Religious Retirement Office is working with religious to design strategies that best support their retirement needs. Know that many of the retired religious spend hours each day in front of the Blessed Sacrament where they hold you up to God in prayers of thanksgiving, while many others give hours of volunteer service to support the ministry of younger members of their Orders, Congregations and Communities. These elderly women and men religious have given a lifetime of service and you are invited to assist them with their ongoing retirement and eldercare needs. On behalf of the 34,000 religious now over the age of 70 and the ever increasing numbers of religious who will be retiring soon, a heartfelt thank you. May God bless you for your continued generosity.