When priests retire, housing is concern

When a priest retires, where does he live?

After decades of residing in rectories, clergy have several options, according to Rev. L. Edward Deimeke, the Albany Diocese's Administrative Advocate for Priests.

The choices include remaining in a rectory, or moving into an apartment, retirement community or nursing home.

Roommates

To cut down on their retirement expenses, Rev. Richard Leskovar, 70, and Rev. Mark Touchette, 75, decided to share an apartment in Guilderland.

"Retiring priests don't have a lot of options," Father Leskovar explained. "We can live in a rectory; an apartment, which we must pay for ourselves; or a retirement or assisted-living facility, which most of us cannot afford.

"We like apartment living. Our location is convenient to almost any place we want to be in the Capital District. Of course, I've lived in rectories for most of my life, so I am learning the fine skills of homemaking -- a whole new world for me. I have learned how to whip up a meal in a short time. I've learned to appreciate all the work that homemakers do."

Nursing home

Rev. John Malecki, 83, decided to move into Teresian House, a nursing home in Albany.

"I did this for two reasons," he explained. "First, it gave me the opportunity to minister to the elderly and the dying. Second, I knew that, with time, I'd become highly vulnerable to stroke, heart attack or illness myself. Why not adjust to that lifestyle while I was still ambulatory instead of waiting until I had no other choice?

"Living here has given me the opportunity to 'let go' of some things in my life I had come to take for granted, while opening up opportunities for new experiences. My philosophy is to keep as mentally agile as possible. I believe that, as we age, it is vital to not just live but to learn. I live each day as if it might be my last, because it might be."

Rectory life

Rev. Richard Dybas, 72, has taken up residence at St. John the Evangelist rectory in Schenectady, where he previously spent some time recovering from an illness. The house has an elevator that made his life easier.

As he looked at his retirement options, the rectory seemed to be just the right place.

"I've already been in residence here, and I know the priests who are living here," he said. "I also am familiar with the household routine. It just seemed to be the natural place for me."

("Each one of our retired priests is an extremely valued resource to our Diocese," said Father Deimeke. "These men continue to provide a much-needed service. If we didn't have the level of activity and commitment that we do [from them], we wouldn't be able to effectively cover all weekend requests for Mass coverage. We very much appreciate their services.")

(6/23/05)