Closer to the goal

The annual Partners in Charity Appeal needs $390,553 in gifts and pledges by Aug. 31, the end of the fiscal year, to make its goal of $5 million.
The Appeal has raised $4,609,447 or 93 percent of the goal, according to Michael P. Gillespie, director of the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development.
A growing number of parishes with $5,000 or less needed to reach their goals are planning in-pew collections in coming weeks, Mr. Gillespie said. A chart on the back page of today’s edition shows just how close many parishes are to reaching their goal.
The Appeal has received 19,254 individual gifts or pledges so far. Of those, 1,543 are new donors, The average gift so far is $238, he said.
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.