BRIGHTON -- At weekend Masses Dec. 9-10, the Archdiocese of Boston will sponsor its annual second collection in support of the medical and retirement needs of its religious who have served the archdiocese for many years through a commitment to the good works of the Church and through a devotion to Christ’s’ mission.

Sister Marian Batho, secretary for regional services and delegate for religious in the archdiocese said, “The Archdiocese of Boston has been blessed with many schools, hospitals and social service agencies. The common denominator in the history of these institutions is the dedicated services of religious who gave of themselves untiringly for the needs of the faithful.”

Sister Marian noted that for many years they worked without any compensation for the furtherance of mission, sustaining themselves on small stipends from caring parishioners.

Because Social Security covers less than 20 percent of the retirement costs, the generous contributions of our parishioners is needed now more than ever, she said.

Last year, 52 religious communities benefited from the annual collection, including 2,045 sisters and 13 brothers. Their collective years of service to the archdiocese totals 59,663.