Partners in Charity Surpasses $5 million Goal for Second Consecutive Year

Appeal has received $5,030,350 as of August 15
 
August 16, 2017, WORCESTER, MA – “Our generous donors showed us that having raised $5 million last year was exceptional but not an exception,” said Michael Gillespie, director of the Office of Stewardship and Development. His office announced today that, as of the report on Tuesday, August 15, it has received 17,031 gifts and pledges totaling $5,030,350, thereby exceeding the $5 million goal two weeks before the end of the fiscal year. The campaign officially launched at the beginning of Lent following a kickoff at St. Vincent Hospital Atrium. Gifts are still being accepted until August 31 for those donors who are still interested in supporting this year’s appeal.
            “On behalf of the many thousands of people who are impacted by the agencies and ministries supported by Partners in Charity, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to all of you who responded to this year’s appeal,” commented Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester. “Thanks to the generosity of the people of the Diocese of Worcester, and the leadership of our priests and parish chairpeople, we will be able to respond to those in need, inspired by the example of St. Teresa of Kolkota, the patron saint for this year’s appeal.”
            As of this week, 54 of the 96 parishes and 3 missions have met or exceeded their goal for this year and many more are close to goal. “It has been a very positive campaign,” 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 support 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, Minister to Priests; Mrs. Diane Cetin, Partners coordinator, St. Joseph Parish, Charlton; Mrs. Judy Curini, Catholic Free Press; Rev. Juan Escudero, associate pastor, St. Mary, Shrewsbury; Msgr. Robert K. Johnson, rector, Cathedral of St. Paul, Worcester; Deacon Steven Kohut, deacon at Our Lady of Czestochowa, Worcester; Mr. Kevin Kieler, parishioner, St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Westborough; Rev. Jonathan J. Slavinskas, pastor, Our Lady of Providence, Worcester; and Rev. Mateus Souza, Associate pastor, St. Mary of the Assumption, Milford.
            Mr. Gillespie stressed that once again the appeal benefitted from an increased role for the leadership giving among the various societies which range from annual commitments of $300 to $7,500 or more. “The growing commitment from donors who have joined societies and have increased their support is helping us to support ministries that reflect our mission as Catholics,” he added. All of the society honor rolls are publicly acknowledged after the appeal has concluded in a published appeal report. The 2016 report is available online at partners-charity.net.
            This year’s campaign theme “Faith in Action is Love,” is taken from the words of St. Teresa of Kolkota, who was canonized last fall by Pope Francis. Reflecting on that theme, Bishop McManus had one more message to those who supported the appeal. “I thank God for the generous support of our parishioners who are helping us bring God’s love to those in need in Central Massachusetts.”
            The goal has been $5 million since the 2011 campaign, which raised $4,724,352. During the 2012 appeal it raised $4,835,997. In 2013 the appeal ended with $4,868,683. In 2014, the campaign raised $4,823,028 and announced the receipt of a bequest for $1.6 million. In 2015 it raised $4,881,859. In 2016 it surpassed its goal finishing at $5,044,850.
            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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