TO: Retired Diocesan Clergy

Dear Father,

During the last few years, as you may be well aware, our diocesan church has experienced a considerable decline in active clergy personnel. For many priests, conditions existing for ministry are mostly affected by the burden of tasks when at this time of their live; the pastoral responsibilities should be lighter. In addition to this, priests are being called to respond to immediate or temporary needs - such as replacing for a priest who has been taken ill, for a sabbatical, a funeral, and during a time when it has become more difficult to respond.

The Office for Pastoral Personnel (OPP) hopes to put together a new way of proceeding in regards to replacement ministry. For this to happen, we need a complete list of names of priests who can do replacements.

We are very aware that you are on a well-deserved retirement time of your life, but despite knowing this, we are calling on your generosity towards our Church so we can effectively live out the Mission.

We would appreciate it if you could complete and return the online form available by clicking HERE

Please accept our deepest appreciation for your gift to the Church of Montreal in spreading the Good News to the People of God.

Thérèse P. Vincent                                                                             Msgr. Jean Fortier, P.H.
Assistant to the Director                                                                                               Director,
Replacement Ministry Coordinator                                                 Office for Pastoral Personnel

October 4, 2007