Partners will take calls

The annual Partners in Charity Appeal stands at $4,803,576 in gifts and pledges as of Thursday, according to Michael P. Gillespie, director of the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development.
That is 96 percent of the goal of $5 million. Mr. Gillespie said that, though the Appeal ends today, the last day of the fiscal year, donations may still be called in over the weekend and will be counted with this week’s appeal. Those who wish to donate or pledge may call 508-929-4368 and leave a call-back message.
This is the second year the Appeal has failed to make the $5 million goal, though the total in gifts and pledges received is closer this year. Last year the Appeal received $4,724,352, or $79,224 less than this year, Mr. Gillespie said.
This year there were 20,340 donors so far. Last year there were 19,481, he said.
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.