Partners in Charity Surpasses $5 M Goal for Third Consecutive Year

“It is humbling to witness the continuing generosity of our donors,” said Michael Gillespie, director of the Office of Stewardship and Development. His office announced today that, as of the report on Tuesday, August 8, it has received 16,209 gifts and pledges totaling $5,018,233, thereby exceeding the $5 million goal three weeks before the end of the fiscal year which marks the official end of the appeal. The appeal officially was launched at the beginning of Lent, following a kickoff that took place at the Chancery on Elm Street in Worcester. Gifts are still being accepted until August 31 for those donors who are still interested in supporting this year’s appeal.
            “I thank God that we will be able to continue to serve tens of thousands of people who are impacted by the agencies and ministries supported by Partners in Charity,” said Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester. “Thanks to the continuing generosity of the people of the Diocese of Worcester, and the leadership of our priests and parish chairpeople, we will respond to our mission as people of faith, inspired by the example of Dorothy Day, the patroness for this year’s appeal.”
            As of this week, 48 of the 96 parishes and 4 missions have met or exceeded their goal for this year, and many more are close to goal. “Everyone involved in the appeal has been very optimistic,” noted Mr. Gillespie, “Pastors, parish administrators and lay parish leaders have been very supportive and the result was another exceptional response from parishioners who want to partner with us in our diocesan-wide efforts in charity, education and ministry.”
            Along with Development Office staff, members of this year’s Partners in Charity advisory board include Dr. Mary Lou Anderson, dean emerita, Assumption College; Rev. James J. Caldarella, retired Minister to Priests; Mrs. Diane Cetin, Partners coordinator, St. Joseph Parish, Charlton; Mrs. Judy Curini, The Catholic Free Press; Rev. Juan Escudero, administrator, St. Denis Parish, Douglas; Deacon Stephen Kohut, deacon at Our Lady of Czestochowa, Worcester; Mr. Kevin Kieler, parishioner, St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Westborough; and Rev. Jonathan Slavinskas, pastor, Our Lady of Providence, Worcester.
            Mr. Gillespie stressed that, as in years past, the appeal benefitted from the leadership giving among the various societies which range from annual commitments of $300 to $7,500 or more. “Once again we have seen that a growing commitment from donors who have joined societies or have increased their support is helping us to support ministries that reflect our mission as Catholics,” he added. All of the society honor rolls will be acknowledged publicly after the appeal has concluded in a published appeal report. The 2017 report is available online at partners-charity.net.
            This year’s appeal theme “Faith in Action: Loving God by serving others,” is taken from the words of Dorothy Day, Servant of God. Reflecting on that theme, Bishop McManus had one more message to those who supported the appeal. “Thank you for giving witness to how you love God by loving those in need.”
            The goal has been $5 million since the 2011 appeal, which raised $4,724,352. During the 2012 appeal $4,835,997 was raised. In 2013 the appeal ended with $4,868,683. In 2014, the appeal raised $4,823,028 and announced the receipt of a bequest for $1.6 million. In 2015 it raised $4,881,859. In 2016 the appeal surpassed its goal finishing at $5,044,850. In 2017 the final amount raised was $5,125,528.
            The twenty-eight 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 Services, Seminarian Health Insurance, St. John’s 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, African Ministry, Hispanic Ministry, Office of Marriage and Family, Minister to Priests, Office of the Diaconate, Respect Life Office, Cathedral of St. Paul, Vocations Office, Office for Divine Worship.
            For more information on the appeal, including a list of the results by parish, visit www.partners-charity.net.
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