Partners ahead of last year at this time

The annual Partners in Charity Appeal is doing better than it did at this time last year, but still needs $337,465 to reach its $5 million goal, according to Michael P. Gillespie, diocesan director of Stewardship and Development.
The fund drive has received $4,662,535 in gifts and pledges, or 93 percent of the goal. That is $73,535 more than was raised at the same time last year, he said.
He said that 144  priests have made gifts totaling $212,180. The 107 members of the St. Paul Society, who pledge at least $5,000, have given a total of $797,143.
“So far there have been 17,422 donors this year. That means there are about 3,500 who gave to last year’s Appeal who have not yet made a gift or pledge this year. If this group made gifts equivalent to their gifts last year, it would bring in about $601,000 and put the drive over the top,” Mr. Gillespie said. “There have been 1,004 new donors this year who have given a total of $126,230.”
Forty-six of the 102 diocesan parishes have reached or exceeded their goals, 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 Services, Seminarian Health Insurance, St. John’s Cemetery System, Diocesan Development, Stewardship
Education
Catholic Campus Ministry, Catholic Schools Office, Office of Religious Education, Ongoing Priestly Formation, Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Seminarian Education, Grants-in-Aid for Catholic School Students, Central Catholic Schools Subsidy, Advanced Studies for Clergy and Laity, Communications Office
Ministry
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 for Divine Worship, Wells Street House.