Partners reaches $4.4 million

Sometimes you just have to ask. Michael P. Gillespie, director of the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development, has suggested that parishes talk to those who gave to the annual Partners in Charity Appeal last year but have not done so this year and ask them to give.
Mr. Gillespie said that there are about 4,000 people who gave to the 2011 Appeal but have not yet given this year. He said some may have died or moved away, but it is important to the overall success of the drive that those who are still here be asked to give to this year’s Appeal.
So far, the Appeal has received gifts and donations totaling $4,437,863, or 89 percent of the $5 million goal, he said. Mr. Gillespie has reported that there are more than 1,300 new donors this year.
Thirty-five parishes have reached of exceeded their goals.
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.