Priests Retirement Fund

“The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. When you see a priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
– St. John Vianney, Patron Saint of Priests

We, the parishioners of the Diocese of Orange, are grateful for all that our priests do for us. We are determined to care for them in their elder years, as they have cared for us. The Priests Retirement Fund offers a way for us to give back to our priests who have served us so faithfully and dedicated their lives to serving others.

Please say “Thank You” our priests with your gift to the Priests Retirement Fund.

For more information, please contact Jonathan Lorenzo, Director of Philanthropy, at 714.282.6041 or [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Priests Retirement Fund different than the Pastoral Services Appeal that supports retired priests?

When you give to the Priests Retirement Fund, your entire gift will support retired priests. When you give to the Pastoral Services Appeal, only part of your gift will support retired priests because it will also support other areas such as Catholic schools and seminarian education.

How will my gift support retired priests?

The Orange Catholic Foundation works with the Diocese of Orange to identify specific needs of retired priests. Examples of needs include housing, memory care, assisted living, medical expenses and long-term care.

Can my gift go towards a specific priest?

Since The Orange Catholic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, gifts to the Priests Retirement Fund cannot go towards a specific priest. However, you might be welcome to contribute gifts directly to priests, but not through the Priests Retirement Fund.

Do retired priests live together in their own retirement community?

Retired priests of a diocese, such as the Diocese of Orange, usually do not live together in their own retirement community. This may be different than retired priests of a religious order, such as the Jesuits or the Franciscans.

I have property that I’d like to donate for retired priest housing – who can I contact?

Thank you very much for your interest in donating property for retired priest housing. Please contact Jonathan Lorenzo, Director of Philanthropy at The Orange Catholic Foundation, at 714-282-6041 or [email protected].