supporting priests health and retirement PRIESTS FOUNDATION APPEAL 2012

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1 Clergy Foundation NOW Priests Foundation What I love about being a priest is being there for people when they need you. I want to thank everyone who has been there for me, and who still is. Fr Peter Gillam, retired July 2011 supporting priests health and retirement PRIESTS FOUNDATION APPEAL 2012 Our priests have been there for us, let s be there for them A change of name not mission Supporting Priests Health and Retirement F rom our baptism to our last rites, every day, every weekend, our priests are there, celebrating with us, supporting us, teaching us. A role model, a pastor, a friend; like a family member, there in good times and in bad. Families care for each other through every stage of life, no matter what. To a priest, his parish is like family. Upon retirement, however, he is no longer able to rely on the support of his parish, his family, to see him through his senior years. For priests who are without personal or family means, or who are in fragile health, retirement can be daunting. It is the generous gifts to the Priests Foundation that help these men, who have given so much, live with dignity in their senior years. In a lot of cases, priests don t have enough money because they were overly continued page 2 1

2 continued from page 1 generous and they grew up in an era where not much thought was given to advanced planning, said Fr Kevin Smith, newly appointed chairman of the Priests Foundation. Most retired priests receive a pension, but the rising costs of everyday expenses often leave them with little. The Brisbane Archdiocese currently has almost 50 retired priests who live either on their own, in assisted living facilities, in nursing homes or with family members. All of them require some level of assistance. There are currently 94 Archdiocesan priests still in active ministry. However, as the average age of priests rises it is now 60 and priests are living longer, the Archdiocese faces the issue of how to care for the growing number of expected retirees. Thanks for being there, no matter what have been very Our faith and the Church. Our Parish important in our family life number over priest (and we have had a s) and indeed all the years in various place the years have priests we have met over ity and support always provided that stabil involved in the to live our faith and to be lp us to set life of the Church. They he role models for great examples and to be ure. They have our children and for the fut no matter what. always been there for us, sts Our prie uch m give so er such to us ov riod e a long p so for of time terial little ma reward. It is likely that we will have an extra 35 retired priests over the next five years alone, said Fr Kevin, so money raised by the Foundation is critical. The priests whom the Foundation supports are grateful to the wonderful people who give so generously, Fr Kevin continued. Without their gifts, the critical services such as accommodation support, transport assistance, and health care, which the Foundation is able to provide, would not be possible. If the time is right for you to include a gift in your Will, will you remember us? Your gift, no matter how big or small, will make a huge difference to the lives of our senior retired priests. Please call (07) or giving@bne.catholic.net.au for information. wife Suzy, Henry with aniel la and son D daughter Car, merdon Henry S er and n parishio undation o F Priests r e rt o p sup orter of the I have been a regular supp the years. Our Priests Foundation over over such a long priests give so much to us material reward. period of time for so little in return is to I think the least we can do ons of health ensure that when for reas longer as active or age, our priests are no support and as they might like to be, we y we can. assist them in whatever wa Priests in Retirement Fr Jack Agnew Archbishop John Bathersby Fr Harry Bliss Fr Brian Burke Fr James Browne Fr Kevin Caldwell Fr Kevin Carey Fr Dermott Casey Fr Ellis Clifford Fr Brian Cooper Fr Bernard Costigan Fr Wally Dethlefs Fr John Dobson Fr Brendan Dooley Fr Patrick Dowd 2

3 Gifts to the Foundation have secured the service of two part-time nurses, Lyn Fields and Cheryl Davies, to offer priests health advice and assistance. HEALTH MATTERS Being part of the support team for the priests is always a privilege, sometimes a challenge, but never boring! T hanks to the generosity of our donors, the Foundation now has two part-time registered nurses, who offer health advice and assistance to our priests, helping them in their transition from parish life to retirement. The care that health coordinators, Cheryle and Lyn provide is not a one-size-fits-all. For example, someone might need clean pyjamas for hospital, and another may need a referral to community services. Cheryle and Lyn assess what is needed and get it sorted. We listen and learn, says Cheryle. An issue for one man will not be for the next, so we need to get to know the priests we are caring for. Fr Martin Doyle Fr Louis Durell Fr Vincent Dwyer Fr John Egan Bishop John Gerry Fr Peter Gillam Fr Vince Hobbs Fr Clem Hodge Fr Edward Houlihan Fr Ray Kearney Fr Denis Long Fr Peter Luton Fr Terence Madden Fr Joseph McGeehan Fr Patrick McHugh Fr William McKeown Fr Dudley McMahon Fr Desmond McQuaid Fr Carmel Micallef Fr Terence Moynihan Fr James O Brien The health system can be like a visit to a foreign country. We might attend a specialist appointment or be at the hospital to ask questions. Having someone to help interpret the jargon and smooth the path is part of our role. A lot of what they do involves building support networks and putting the priest in touch with the right person, to ensure that each priest retains his independence. We are not primary care givers, explains Lyn. We are all about relationships getting to know the men as individuals to find out what s a good fit for their particular need. That s what makes the job so special. Fr Bill O Shea Fr Richard Pascoe Fr Virgil Pender Fr Paul Rooney Fr John Rosenskjar Fr Leo Skelly Fr James Spence Fr Patrick Stratford Fr John Sullivan Fr Brian Taylor Fr Patrick Tynan Fr Bernard Wilson 3

4 Fr Peter Gillam Retired July 2011 continued from page 5 I still consider myself a full-time priest. I minister to 10,000 people across four islands. I ve had 47 years as a priest and received wonderful support from my ten parishes. As a priest, I develop life-long relationships with people through baptism, marriage and unfortunately death. One family in particular, I have known for four generations and have celebrated 15 marriages and 20 baptisms for them. I m grateful for the support I receive from the Foundation. Thank you! Fr Jim Browne, retired priest in residence for the Church of the Holy Spirit, Macleay Island. As parish priest of Hendra, the heart of Brisbane s horse-racing, it is inevitable that Fr Peter became a welcome figure round the traps. He has forged great relationships with the racing community and will continue in his role as chaplain to the racing industry where he provides a Catholic presence and celebrates the sacraments for community members when required. What I love about being a priest is being there for people when they need you. I want to thank everyone who has been there for me, and who still is, he says. I am very grateful to the Priests Foundation and everyone who so generously supports it. The Foundation has helped me adjust to retired life, and there s a level of comfort I get from knowing that help is available when I need it. And as long as I stay healthy and active, I can continue to minister and help people where I am needed, he adds. So, does Fr Peter have a most memorable moment as a parish priest? Not one, he said. I have enjoyed every moment of it! clarifying with a wry smile. I would like to support priests health and retirement. Title First Name Surname Address State Postcode Phone Cheque / Money order is enclosed payable to: The Priests Foundation Credit card Please charge my Visa Mastercard Amex Credit Card Number Signature Phone Donation: Please call I have included The Priests Foundation in my Will I would consider including The Priests Foundation in my Will We will treat your personal information with respect and confidentiality as directed by you and in accordance with privacy legislation. The Priests Foundation of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane ABN Expiry Date Parish Gifts over $2 are tax deductible Please send to your parish or to Priests Foundation GPO Box 282 Brisbane Q 4001 Thank you for helping the retired and infirm priests of the Archdiocese of Brisbane I would like to become a regular supporter Please charge my credit card until I advise otherwise Monthly $ I enclose a single gift of 3 please tick $500 $250 $100 $50 $25 $ Other 4

5 Fr Peter Gillam retired July 2011 What I love about being a priest is being there for people when they need you. I want to thank everyone who has been there for me, and who still is. A teacher, a scholar and a great pastoral priest, Fr Peter Gillam retired in July last year after 49 years of service to the Archdiocese of Brisbane. Appointed to his first parish, Scarborough in 1963, over time he went on to serve the great parishes of Hendra (twice), Brighton, and Redcliffe. A student of moral theology, he studied in Rome, where he forged a lasting friendship with a young Fr John Bathersby. He spent 20 years at Banyo seminary - not because I m slow, but because I was teaching! he adds cheekily taking on dual roles as teacher until 1985, and parish priest at Hendra. Gracious and unassuming, Fr Peter is well respected around Brisbane, described by people who know him as a prayerful man who cares for people. Of his calling to priesthood, Fr Peter s answer is simple. I wanted to serve God and people, he says. And that he has done. On the day of his final Mass as parish priest at Our Lady Help of Christians, Fr Peter s thoughts were mixed. I love the Church, he said. I m happy to lose the administration responsibilities but there is a sadness at missing the people I served and got to know and who I class as friends, which is all of them, he said at the time. Newspix / Chris McCormack One year on, and it is clear that Fr Peter s fears over losing touch with his friends are unfounded. My real love was with people being with them, praying, celebrating, grieving the important things, he says. The opportunities for Fr Peter to do those important things are still in abundance. Since his retirement, the requests and invitations from friends have not stopped. Try and catch him in the week and chances are he will be busy either celebrating or attending weddings or funerals. Of the future and other things he would like to do in his golden years, he looks forward to reading, relaxing, and praying a bit more. I have time for that now, he says. continued page 4 I first met Father Peter Gillam in the early 80 s. He was a good friend of a priest I knew in Sydney. Meeting him was very important at that time in my life and in his own unique pragmatic and supportive way, he became my guide and good shepherd who helped me reshape my faith. He was always the priest but a priest always grounded in the real world. He was instrumental at the time in helping me to put a very human face to my otherwise intellectual view of Catholicism and the world. Henry Smerdon, parishioner and Priests Foundation supporter 5

6 From the Chair Blessings from Archbishop Mark Coleridge The story of the Archdiocese of Brisbane has been a story of blessing. Prime among the blessings are the many people whose lives are full of faith, hope and love. Here I think of the priests and especially of our retired and infirm priests who have served the Church so selflessly and now have laid down the burden of responsibility. I thank them most sincerely for all that they have given and continue to give. They may not serve as once they did, but their priestly service continues in mysterious and wonderful ways. I commend the Priests Foundation to your generosity, asking that you help us to help those who for so long have been good and faithful servants. In Christ Jesus, Most Rev. Mark Coleridge Archbishop of Brisbane This year, the Foundation was renamed from the Clergy Foundation to the Priests Foundation. I think the change more clearly reflects the work that it does and who it supports; that being senior retired priests of the Archdiocese and priests who are ill. Now in its twelfth year, the Foundation s mission remains strong to provide such things as basic living assistance, convalescence care, accommodation support, and health and transport assistance to ensure that after a lifetime of selfless service to generations of families, our priests can continue to live with dignity. Your gifts make this possible. Last year the Foundation s appeal raised $470,000 toward the $986,000 total sum spent. On behalf of the priests who benefit from your generosity, my fellow committee members, and all who are associated with the Foundation, I sincerely thank you. Other Support Audit, Insurance, Legal Travel Assistance Fundraising Administration Medical Expenses Accommodation & Support Where your gifts go 5k 23k 19k 32k 31k 39k 39k 40k 61k 75k Your continued support helps the Foundation meet the challenges associated with the increasing cost of senior care, and most importantly, ensures that we can continue offering the level of individualised care, that is at the heart of what we do. Finally, as I take up the role of Chairman of the Priests Foundation, I would like to thank Fr Michael McKeaten, my predecessor, who has been and continues to be a staunch advocate for senior, retired and infirm priests. I am blessed to be part of a team of people who are tireless in their efforts and dedication to ensuring the deserved comfort and wellbeing of the men in our care. I hope you will join me in showing support for the men who have supported you, by giving to the Priests Foundation. Sincerely yours in Christ, Fr Kevin Smith Chairman 314k 335k 428k k 0 $100,000 $200,000 $300,000 $400,000 $500,000 Priests Foundation GPO Box 282 Brisbane Q 4001 (07) giving@bne.catholic.net.au 6