Partners releases official report for 2021

        “Despite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic for many families, more than ten thousand donors responded to our call to be the face of Christ to those in need, for which I am truly grateful,” Bishop McManus said after the official results for 2021 Partners in Charity appeal were announced.  
        The Office of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Worcester released its final report Wednesday, showing that it had received 13,291 gifts and pledges totaling $4,469,155, or 89% of the $5 million goal. 
         The appeal officially launched at the beginning of 2021 and concluded on Aug. 31.
         “Thanks to this response, tens of thousands of people will be assisted by the 26 pastoral, charitable and educational agencies and ministries which are supported by Partners in Charity,” Bishop McManus said.
         “It has been a very positive campaign,” noted Michael P. Gillespie, director of the development office which runs the campaign. “Pastors, parish administrators and lay parish leaders adapted to conduct the appeal at different times of the year depending on whether they were still active with the capital campaign, Legacy of Hope.” 
          At the conclusion of the appeal in August, 46 of the 96 parishes and three missions had met or exceeded their goal. There were 13,291 gifts or pledges at an average of $336. That represented 750 more gifts that the previous year, which reached 88% of its goal with only 36 parishes meeting or exceeding their parish goals.
        Mr. Gillespie stressed that the appeal relies on many leadership gifts among the various societies which range from annual commitments of $300 to $7,500 or more.  Some 4,061 households joined societies this year.
         “The continuing commitment from society members provided a solid foundation for this year’s appeal,” he added. All the society honor rolls will be publicly acknowledged in an online report.
        The agencies and ministries which receive funding from the appeal are Priests’ Retirement, Retired Priests Health Ministry, Catholic Charities, McAuley Nazareth Home for Boys, Pernet Family Health Service, St. John Diocesan Cemetery System, Catholic Campus Ministry, Catholic Schools Office, Office of Religious Education, Ongoing Priestly Formation, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Catholic School Grants-in-Aid, Seminarian Education, Advanced Studies for Clergy and Laity, Communications Ministry, African Ministry, Hispanic Apostolate  (parish-based), Office of Hispanic/Latino Ministry, Office of Marriage and Family, Minister to Priests, Office of the Diaconate, Respect Life Office, St. Paul Cathedral, Vocations Office and House of Studies, and Office for Divine Worship.
         For more information on the appeal, including a list of the results by parish, visit  www.partners-charity.net