Individuals
Though financial support is distributed to religious communities, gifts to the Retirement Fund for Religious have a very real impact on the day-to-day lives of individual senior religious—providing funding for necessities such as prescription medications and nursing care.
Below, meet some of the senior religious who benefit from the Retirement Fund for Religious. Click on a photo to read their stories.
Sister Mercedes Benko, 81
School Sisters of St. Francis
The youngest of eight children, Sister Mercedes Benko, 81, a School Sister of St. Francis from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, entered religious life at just 14 and professed her first vows in 1949. Her years of ministry include some 20 years teaching elementary school and roughly 10 more teaching high school business classes. Following teaching, she spent several years ministering to the elderly and recalls fondly how little things, such as holiday parties or a home visit, meant so much to the seniors she served.
Today, she manages an arts and crafts ministry, making and selling goods to earn income for her community. Though she has been battling cancer for more than 18 months—and undergoes a week of chemotherapy every six weeks—Sister Mercedes is determined to continue doing the things she loves and loving the people she serves. "I just keep on going," says Sister Mercedes, "I try to keep my sickness on the side." Financial assistance from the Retirement Fund for Religious offers her community support for retirement and elder-care needs.