WASHINGTON - On the weekend of Dec. 12–13, Catholics across the United States will have the opportunity to support aging sisters, brothers and religious order priests through the Retirement Fund for Religious. For decades, women and men religious have served in Catholic schools, hospitals, parishes and other ministries, often for little to no pay. Their communities have been facing rising eldercare costs and limited retirement resources. Coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO), this annual collection in participating (arch)dioceses provides financial assistance to eligible religious institutes caring for their retired members. Some (arch)dioceses may hold the collection on a different date.In 2026, only 6 percent of religious institutes providing data to the NRRO were adequately funded for retirement, and 69 percent had a median age of 70 or older. The 2025 appeal raised a record $37.1 million, and in June 2026, the NRRO distributed a record $40 million in