Bishop names Eppingers to lead Partners appeal

Fred and Patty Eppinger of Grafton have been named chairs of the annual Partners in Charity appeal, along with their children Katie, Andrew and Lauren.
Mr. Eppinger is president and chief executive officer of Hanover Insurance Group in Worcester. Mrs. Eppinger is an active volunteer in Central Massachusetts. Katie attends Worcester Academy and Andrew and Lauren attend the Touchstone Community School in Grafton.
The Eppingers are members of St. Philip Parish in Grafton.
This year’s annual appeal again has a goal of $5 million, as it did last year. Last year the appeal raised  about $4.7 million, or 94 percent  of its goal. Of the 114 parishes and missions in the diocese, 69 equalled or exceeded their goals. A total of 19,491 donors gave to the appeal, according to Michael P. Gillespie, director of the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development.
Bishop McManus said at the end of last year’s drive that the challenges of the economy were felt throughout the diocese. He thanked all the donors for their sacrifices in supporting Partners in Charity.
Mrs. Eppinger said that chairing the appeal is “something we have wanted to do for some time.”  It is important to do it and it is the right time, she said.
“We have supported the Partners in Charity Annual Appeal for many years,” the Eppingers said in a prepared statement. ”The ministries funded by this appeal do valuable charitable and educational work in our community. In these difficult economic times, it is even more important for each of us to reach out and support the families who benefit from these services.”
The bishop said the Eppingers were gracious in accepting the position.
The bishop will host a reception from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at Our Lady of Loreto Parish to kick off this year’s Partners in Charity appeal. Pastors and diocesan priests, parish leaders and volunteers have been invited, according to Mr. Gillespie.
The annual Partners in Charity Appeal  helps to support charitable, educational and ministerial organizations in the diocese. They include:
Charity: Catholic Charities, Clergy Retirement, Retired Priests Health Ministry, Haitian Apostolate, McAuley Nazareth Home for Boys, Pernet Family Health Service, Seminarian Health Insurance, St. John’s Diocesan Cemetery System, Diocesan Development, Stewardship.
Education:     Catholic Campus Ministry, Catholic Schools Department, The Office of Religious Education, Ongoing Priestly Formation, Diocesan Youth Ministry, Grants-in-Aid for Catholic School Students, Seminarian Education, Central Catholic Schools Subsidy, Advanced Studies for Clergy and Laity.
Ministry:    African Ministry, Hispanic Ministry, Office of Marriage and Family, Ministry to Priests, Office of the Diaconate, Respect Life Office, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Vocations Office, Office for Divine Worship.