Partners hits halfway mark

The annual Parters in Charity Appeal has raised 52 percent of its $5 million goal, with gifts and pledges totaling $2,613,889.36 reported as of Wednesday, according to Michael Gillespie, diocesan director of Stewardship and Development.
Six parishes have reached or exceeded their goals, he said.
They are:
Christ the King, Worcester: goal $116,500, raised $141,250; St. Matthew, Southborough: goal $51,260, raised $58,335; Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, West Brookfield: goal $30,000, raised $32,668; St. Richard of Chichester, Sterling: goal $30,000, raised $31,185; St. Denis, Douglas: goal $32,037, raised $33,020; St. Joseph, Charlton; goal $55,000, raised, $55,000.
In addition, two parishes, Sacred Heart of Hopedale and Our Lady of the Rosary of Worcester, are conducting capital campaigns and Appeal funds will be part of the parish capital goal, Mr. Gillespie said.
Five parishes are between 90 and 99 percent of their goals; one parish is between 80 and 89 percent; 16 parishes are between 70 and 79 percent and 76 parishes are between one and 69 percent, he said. So far, 10,244 gifts and pledges have been received.
“Many pastors have expressed that they would very much appreciate and prefer a much shorter Appeal time,” Mr. Gillespie said. “Our advisory board is in agreement with this 100 percent. So let us all really try, in this month of April, and give a real push in promoting and inviting donors at the parish level to give. Perhaps then we can reach goal by June and not by Aug. 31. Statistically, the average diocesan campaign lasts five months or less.”
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.