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Msgr. Michael Harriman, retired pastor of St. Cecilia Parish, San Francisco, is a special honoree of the Priests' Retirement Fund Lunch.
Oct. 1, 2020
Catholic San FranciscoThe Archdiocese of San Francisco will honor its more than 50 retired priests in a virtual commendation on Nov. 19, 2020. The celebration is now in its 10th year but its first as a virtual event. In its nine years it has raised more than $2 million for retired priests’ support.
“Although it is not possible this year to hold a Priests Retirement Luncheon in the traditional sense, we all are still eager to celebrate these very special men for their lives of service to the Archdiocese of San Francisco,” said Rod Linhares, archdiocesan director of development.
“The week beginning Nov. 15 will be Retired Priests Week," Linhares said. "These men have been with us for the best and the most difficult times of our lives.”
Linhares called the proceeds from the luncheon a “literally vital” income stream for retired priests' well-being.
The Nov. 19, 2020, event will open with a 45-minute livestreamed program at 10.30 a.m. for which an emcee has yet to be named and content is still being planned. A livestreamed Mass from the chapel in the residence of Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone with the archbishop as principal celebrant will follow at 11:30 a.m.
Special honorees and concelebrants of the Mass are Msgr. Michael Harriman, retired pastor of St. Cecilia Parish, San Francisco, ordained in 1968, and Father John Greene, retired pastor of St. Robert Parish, San Bruno and chaplain for the San Francisco Fire Department, ordained in 1976. Following Mass, Archbishop Cordileone will host lunch at the residence for the honorees and their guests.
Retired priests will join in the day by livestream from their respective residences.
Gift baskets containing COVID-19 masks and local goodies including chocolate will be delivered to the retired priests in the week before the celebration. Rod Linhares will be among the delivery people. “It will be neat to see their expressions,” Linhares said. “It is a tremendous honor to help put this day together. These men have given their lives to us.”
While no tickets are being sold for the event, the program and Mass will be available to all at http://bit.ly/PRFLunch. Donations are welcome to the day and can be sent to Priests Retirement Fund 2020, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco 94109. Visit https://www.sfarch.org/giving.