Partners reaches 75% of goal

The annual Partners in Charity Appeal has reached 75 percent of its $5 million goal, according to Michael P. Gillespie, diocesan director of Stewardship and Development.
He said the fund drive has received $3,732,505 in gifts and pledges. Ten parishes have exceeded their goals and 73 are at 60 percent of their goals or higher. These parishes are within reach of their goal, Mr. Gillespie noted.
There have been 13,103 gifts, of which 439, totaling $205,167, were made on-line; and 520 new gifts were received from donors who never have given to the appeal before. Those new gifts totaled $55,074.
A number of parishes plan to do a second in-pew collection, he said. In the past, a second such collection have helped parishes reach their goals.
Mr. Gillespie said the drive is doing better this year than it did last year at this time.  On May 2 last year, he said, the drive had raised $3,320,870, or 66 percent of the $5 million goal.
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.