June 5, 2014 - Cardinal to Celebrate Regina Cleri Residence 50th anniversary in Service to Senior

Boston Mayor Walsh To join celebration

Braintree, MA (June 5, 2014) – For 50 years Regina Cleri residence, located in the heart of Boston's West End neighborhood, has been home to senior priests of the Archdiocese of Boston who have devoted their lives in service to God and the Church.

Today, Thursday, June 5th, Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley will lead a celebration in honor of a half century commitment to the senior priests of the Archdiocese.  In addition to the priest residents of Regina Cleri, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh will join in the festivities.  The event will take place at 4:30pm at Regina Cleri, 60 William Cardinal O’Connell Way, Boston, MA, 02114 and include the blessing of the cornerstone by the Cardinal.

“At Regina Cleri our senior priests are provided quality care and support services as they continue to serve the Archdiocese,” said Cardinal Seán.  “They have generously ministered to generations of the faithful and are truly deserving of our gratitude.  We pray that the Lord will continue to bless our senior priests as they witness God’s love and mercy to the people of the Archdiocese of Boston.”

"Taking care of seniors is an essential test of every community’s spiritual health. These priests have spent years shepherding our communities, helping us achieve and understand the milestones of our lives," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "I commend the Archdiocese for maintaining this facility, and for taking care of those who have served so dutifully for so many years. I want to congratulate the Cardinal, the staff, and the residents of Regina Cleri on the 50th anniversary of this unique institution."

Currently, 56 priests reside at Regina Cleri.  The residence can accommodate up to 56 residents (24% of Boston's senior priests) a capacity of 56 with two respite care rooms for active and senior diocesan priests who are in need of rehabilitation before returning back to ministry. The average age of the residents is 87 years of age, with four men in their 90s.  Together, these priests represent more than 2,800 years of ministry

Stephen J. Gust. Executive Director at Regina Cleri, said, “It is an honor and a privilege to serve these priests who have given so much to the people of God.  They deserve our praise and our support for being faithful to the mission of the Church for many years.  At Regina Cleri we are committed to preserving their independence and dignity while insuring that they have the quality of care and spiritual engagement which is so important in the life of our priests.”

About the Archdiocese of Boston: The Diocese of Boston was founded on April 8, 1808 and was elevated to Archdiocese in 1875. Currently serving the needs of 1.8 million Catholics, the Archdiocese of Boston is an ethnically diverse and spiritually enriching faith community consisting of 289 parishes, across 144 communities, educating approximately 42,000 students in its Catholic schools and 156,000 in religious education classes each year, ministering to the needs of 200,000 individuals through its pastoral and social service outreach.   Mass is celebrated in nearly twenty different languages each week. For more information, please visit  www.BostonCatholic.org .