Retirement Fund for Religious

“Donors to the Retirement Fund for Religious are the heart and soul of its mission, and their generosity is a living testament to compassion in action. Each gift, large or small, expresses deep respect and care for our elderly religious, honoring their lifetime of service and ensuring their needs are met with dignity,” reflects Brother Joe Rogenski, 75, a member of the Order of Friars Minor in St. Louis, Missouri.

Brother Joe, the youngest of four siblings, was born on March 19, 1948, in Madison, Illinois. Growing up in a Franciscan parish and attending Catholic grade school, he found his inspiration for religious life close to home. His older sister, a religious sister in the Divine Providence community, and a Franciscan priest, Fr. Joe Ben Hagen, who was stationed in his parish, were guiding lights in his faith journey.

After graduating from public high school in 1966, Brother Joe joined the Franciscan Brother’s school in Oak Brook, Illinois, where he entered religious life in September of that year, making his solemn vows by August 1972.

Brother Joe’s early ministry training as an institutional cook began through on-the-job mentoring from older brothers. This role became foundational, preparing him for various future ministries. While training, he attended the seminary in Quincy, Illinois, earning an undergraduate degree in theology and a master’s in religious studies from St. Louis University in 1980. Following this, Brother Joe dedicated 13 years to teaching high school religion before stepping into the role of principal of a parish school in Ashland, Wisconsin, where he served for over six years.

One of Brother Joe’s most cherished memories is his mission in Alaska, where he spent six years with the Athabascan Native American community. Since 1998, Brother Joe has served in a fundraising role for the Franciscan Missionary Union (FMU), supporting both the missions and the missionaries’ needs.

Reflecting on the significance of love in his work, Brother Joe finds guidance in the message found in 1 Corinthians 13: “If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.” This scriptural message has been his compass, grounding his efforts in believing that love must lead the way at the core of all service.