Search
-
March 21, 2019Partners in Charity experiencing a strong start
March 21, 2019, WORCESTER, MA – The Office of Development of the Diocese of Worcester has announced that it has raised 40% of the $5 million goal for this year’s Annual Partners in Charity Appeal and that four parishes are over goal. The office has received 4,713 gifts and pledges totaling $2,011,879. The weekends in mid-March are the official “in-pew Sundays” in many of the 96 parishes and 3 missions which comprise the Diocese of Worcester.
The theme for this year’s campaign is “Generate Joy,” reflecting the evangelizing mission of the Catholic Church according to St. Paul VI, this year’s patron saint.
“St. Paul VI made it clear that when we carry on the work of the Catholic Church through the agencies and ministries supported by this appeal we bring joy into people’s lives,” said Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester. “I thank God for the generosity of the people who continue to be partners in our diocesan-wide effort to provide pastoral, educational and charitable services which rely on this annual appeal.”
Michael Gillespie, director of the Office of Stewardship and Development, noted that this is a unique year given that the diocese has also begun a capital campaign called Legacy of Hope. “Nine of our parishes began their Partners in Charity appeal in early February which, together with advance gifts, has contributed to a great jumpstart to this year’s appeal.” Four parishes have already reached their goals, three of which are conducting their capital campaigns this spring: Christ the King and Immaculate Conception in Worcester, St. Peter in Northbridge and St. Richard of Chichester in Sterling.
“It is crucial that we get the message out that Partners in Charity supports the daily operations of agencies and ministries impacting the lives of tens of thousands of people each day,” Mr. Gillespie added. “The capital campaign is positioned to build endowments for specific issues such as Priests’ Retirement care, Catholic school tuition assistance and parish-based programs to serve their local communities as well as to address long overdue capital needs in some of our parishes. The appeal and the campaign complement each other but both are crucial for us to continue our mission.”
Mr. Gillespie also is thankful for the increasing number of donors who choose to enroll in various giving “societies,” many of which are named after saints such as recently canonized St. Teresa of Kolkata. Another society invokes the guidance of the Holy Family when making a pledge or gift of $7,500 or more. The society honor rolls are publicly acknowledged after the appeal has concluded in a published appeal report which is available online at partners-charity.net.
The 28 agencies and ministries which receive funding from the appeal are
Catholic Charities, Priests' Retirement, Retired Priests' Health Ministry, Haitian Apostolate, McAuley Nazareth Home for Boys, Pernet Family Health Service, St. John Diocesan Cemetery System, Diocesan Stewardship & Development, Catholic Schools Office, Office of Religious Education, Ongoing Priestly Formation, Grant-in-Aid for Schools, Seminarian Education, Advanced Studies for Clergy and Laity, Communications Ministry, Central Catholic Schools Subsidy, Catholic Campus Ministry, Pastoral Planning, African Ministry, Hispanic Ministry, Office of Marriage and Family, Minister to Priests, Office of the Diaconate, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Respect Life Office, St. Paul Cathedral, Vocations Office and House of Studies, Office for Divine Worship..
The appeal website features a short video with Bishop McManus and people who have been impacted by this appeal in addition to reporting how last year’s appeal funds were distributed. Visitors to the site can also make a pledge or gift online through its secure donation page. For more information, visit www.partners-charity.net or contact a local pastor or the Office of Development at 508-929-4368.
