Annual Diocesan Appeal reaches 97%

Appeal will conclude at end of August
 
August 10, 2016, WORCESTER, MA – The Office of Development of the Diocese of Worcester has announced that as of August 8, 2016 it has received 16,997 gifts and pledges totaling $4,853,744 toward this year’s Annual Partners in Charity Appeal. The total raised to date represents 97% percent of the $5 million goal. The campaign officially launched at an event at the Diocesan Chancery on February 11.
            To date, 39 parishes have met or exceeded their goal for this year.
            The campaign theme “Called to be Merciful,” echoes the Jubilee of Mercy that is taking place in the Catholic Church around the globe. According to the Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester “When parishioners support these ministries and agencies along with their parishes, they are exercising corporal and charitable works of mercy in our communities. I thank God for the generosity of our people as they respond in gratitude to God for the graces received in their lives.”
            Michael Gillespie, director of the Office of Steward ship and Development, noted that many of the parishes are within reach of their goal. He also pointed out the increased role for the leadership giving among the various societies which range from annual commitments of $300 to $7,500 or more. “A significant part of this year’s appeal is the growing commitment from donors who have joined societies and have increased their support for these works of mercy,” he added. All of the society honor rolls are publicly acknowledged after the appeal has concluded in a published appeal report. The 2015 report is available online at partners-charity.net.
            The thirty agencies and ministries which receive funding from the appeal are
Clergy Retirement, Retired Priests Health Ministry, Catholic Charities, Haitian Apostolate, McAuley Nazareth Home for Boys, Pernet Family Health Service, Seminarian Health Insurance, St. John Diocesan Cemetery System, Diocesan Development & Stewardship, Catholic Campus Ministry, Catholic Schools Department, The Office of Religious Education, Ongoing Priestly Formation, New Evangelization Worcester for Youth & Young Adults, Catholic School Grants-in-Aid, Seminarian Education, Central Catholic Schools Subsidy, Advanced Studies for Clergy and Laity, Communications Office, African Ministry, Hispanic Ministry, Office of Marriage and Family, Minister to Priests, Office of the Diaconate, Respect Life Office, Saint Paul Cathedral, Vocations Office, Office for Divine Worship.
            In addition to a report detailing how last year’s appeal funds were distributed, the appeal website also features a short video hosted by Bishop McManus with interviews of people who have been impacted by this appeal. Donations can be made directly on line and the donor’s designated parish will receive credit towards their goal. For more information, visit www.partners-charity.net or contact a local pastor or the Office of Development at 508-929-4368.