With slightly more than six more weeks to go until Aug. 31, the end of the fiscal year, the annual Partners in Charity Appeal has raised $4,721,000 in gifts and pledges, according to Michael P. Gillespie, diocesan director of Stewardship and Development. That amounts to 94 percent of the goal of $5 million, leaving $279,000 needed to go over the top. On July 17 last year the Appeal was $317,081 short of the same goal, Mr. Gillespie said. So far this year there have been 17,100 gifts, about 3,945 fewer than last year at this time, he said. Some 43 parishes have exceeded their Appeal goals and many others are within 80 or 90 percent. This year the Appeal has new leadership circles with different giving levels. The 37 members of the Holy Family Society, who pledge $7,500 or more, have given a total of $442,000. The 79 members of the St. Paul Society, who pledge from $5,000 to $7,499, have given a total of $415,770. The 123 members of the St. John Paul II Circle, who pledge from $2,500 to $4,999, have given a total of $345,930. The 234 members of the St. John XXIII Circle, who pledge from $1,500 to $2,499, have given $383,210. The 556 members of the St. Francis of Assisi Circle, who pledge from $1,000 to $1,499, have given $577,540. The 1,313 members of the Blessed Mother Teresa Circle, who pledge from $500 to $999, have given $728,820. The 1,670 members of the Dorothy Day, Servant of God Circle, who pledge $300 to $499, have given $549,330. The new St. John Vianney Society is made up of 86 priests who pledged $1,000 or more, for a total of $199,150. Another 55 priests have given $19,510. Two priests are members of the Holy Family Society and 12 are in the St. Paul Society. The Appeal has received $261,172 from 596 on-line donors and $91,523 from 696 new donors. 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.