Diocesan Appeal Off to a Strong Start

Appeal surpasses the $1 Million mark with advance gifts
 
March 16, 2017, WORCESTER, MA – The Office of Development of the Diocese of Worcester has announced that it has concluded the advanced gifts phase of this year’s appeal prior to the diocesan-wide In-pew Sunday. The appeal has received 2,147 gifts and pledges totaling $1,192,175 to jump-start this year’s Annual Partners in Charity Appeal. This weekend, March 19, is the official In-pew Sunday in 97 parishes and 3 missions which comprise the Diocese of Worcester. The total raised to date is nearly 24 percent of the $5 million goal.
            The theme for this year’s campaign is “Faith in Action is Love,” taken from the words of Saint Teresa of Kolkota. The campaign was officially launched to parish leadership at an event at the Atrium at St. Vincent Hospital on February 28.
            “The life and witness of St. Teresa are a source of great inspiration for our parishioners,” said Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester. “I thank God for the continued generosity of our supporters and I am grateful that they continue to be partners in our diocesan-wide effort to support pastoral, educational and charitable services made possible by this annual appeal.”
            Michael Gillespie, director of the Office of Stewardship and Development, noted that this year the updated website has made it easier for online donations.  “We continue to find ways such as the use of QR codes on the materials to make it as convenient and flexible as possible for our donors,” he added. Donors can identify their parish affiliation so that their donation is counted toward that parish’s individual goal.
            Mr. Gillespie also is noticing a continuing trend in donors choosing 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 also available online at partners-charity.net.
            The 28 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, Cathedral of Saint Paul, Vocations Office, Office for Divine Worship.
            In addition to reporting how last year’s appeal funds were distributed, the appeal website also features a short video hosted by Bishop McManus with testimonies from people who have been impacted by this appeal. For more information, visit www.partners-charity.net or contact a local pastor or the Office of Development at 508-929-4368.