What do we priests do when we retire? Or a better question is, what can priests do when we retire? How can we use our experience and gifts to serve the Lord in expanded roles, and ease the burdens of parish priests overloaded with work due to a dire priest shortage?
I am 76 years old and retired from full-time active ministry. I have served the Pittsburgh diocese in a number of capacities: pastor, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools, headmaster of a Catholic high school, hospital and prison chaplain, and diocesan director of parish reorganization and revitalization. Not only do I believe I still have some energy, experience and gifts to serve the church, I firmly believe that many of the 95 retired priests in our diocese have much to offer, if only we would be asked, empowered, organized and mobilized.
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