Partners in Charity at 76 %

The annual Partners in Charity Appeal is three-quarters of the way to its $5 million goal, according to Michael P. Gillespie, diocesan director of Stewardship and Development.
Gifts and pledges so far total $3,806,000, or 76 percent of the goal, he said. The Appeal needs $1,194,000 to reach goal. Several parishes are planning additional in-pew solicitations before Memorial Day, he said, because weekend Mass attendance subsides with warmer weather and the beginning of vacation season.
“We hope to complete the 2014 Appeal as early as July,” he said. “A number of our pastors have shared with our office that ‘these gifts are out there if only we will ask.’ It is great to see many pastors engaged and excited about being successful in reaching goal this year.”
So far, 123 diocesan priests have made gifts or pledges, Mr. Gillespie said. The gifts total $185,720. The average gift is $1,503. Gifts and pledges from the 93 St. Paul Society members, who pledge at least $5,000, total $605,400. There are 17 new Society members this year. Eighteen members from last year have yet to make a gift this year, Mr. Gillespie said.
He said 13,890 people have made gifts of pledges this year, of whom 897 are new donors. The gifts and pledges from new donors totals $110,614.15.
So far, 14 of the 103 diocesan parishes have gone over goal and the majority are within 80 percent of 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.