More than $700,000 was collected in the Diocese of Buffalo during the 2017 Retirement Fund for Religious Appeal. This total includes donations from throughout the United States through the "Share in the Care" website which is sponsored by the Religious Retirement Fund in the Diocese of Buffalo. Donations to this site can be made online throughout the year.

Religious Congregations that have applied to the National Religious Retirement Office for funds from the 2017 National Campaign will be informed of the amount they will receive in early summer 2018. Funds are determined at the National level according to the documented needs of the religious congregations. In order to receive Direct Care Assistance religious institutes are required to submit demographic and financial data to the National Religious Retirement Office.

In addition to providing Direct Care Assistance to Religious Congregations in need of funds to provide care for their retired religious, the campaign provides funds for advisement and professional assistance for those congregations in need of services to plan for their future needs. The national staff continues to lend their expertise to local congregations seeking to make prudential decisions regarding living facilities, collaborative ventures and other consultation that may be necessary.

Parish collections in the diocese continue to be the most significant source of donations to the local retirement campaign. Online donations from around the United States are also included in the totals collected in the Diocese of Buffalo total. We are especially grateful to all who have taken an active role in making the continuing need known to the members of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Buffalo.

On behalf of the more than 625 women and men religious in our diocese and the thousands throughout the United States, I thank you and ask for your continued prayerful and financial support in 2018.  May all who have contributed to this collection over the past 30 years know of the gratitude and continued prayers of those who have been helped by their continuing generosity.