May 6, 2010, WORCESTER, MA – The Development Office for the Diocese of Worcester has announced that, as of May 4, the 2010 Partners in Charity Appeal has raised $2,800,386, which is 58.3% of its diocesan goal of $4.8 million.

            There have been 10,235 donors to date with an average gift of $274. Another 12,000 gifts are anticipated in the overall campaign.

            A total of thirteen parishes have exceeded their goals. They are (by town) Blackstone: St. Theresa, $26,776, 101%; Dudley: St. Anthony of Padua, $34,609, 108%; East Templeton: Holy Cross, $14,825, 114%; Lunenburg:, St. Boniface, $15,855, 127%; Millbury: Our Lady of the Assumption, $19,305, 117%; Millville: St. Augustine, $18,249, 111%; Princeton: Prince of Peace, $31,653, 100%; Rutland: St. Patrick, $65,768, 120%; Upton: Holy Angels, $40,370, 100%; Webster: St. Joseph Basilica, $20,568, 102%; Wheelwright: St. Augustine Mission, $2,130, 118%; Worcester: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel-St. Ann, $60,000, 100%; St. Christopher, $23,684, 100%

            The annual appeal provides critical funding for 29 agencies and ministries which serve tens of thousands of people in Worcester County, through charitable agencies like Catholic Charities and Pernet Family Health Services. It provides care for retired priests, as well as tuition, room and board for seminarians studying for the priesthood. Education, including Catholic Schools and catechist preparation to share the faith in parish religious education programs, is also a key beneficiary area of the appeal.

            In addition to information provided in parishes, people can visit www.partners-charity.net which contains brochures and an online video about this year’s appeal. Donors can make their pledges or gifts on line which will be credited to their parish.

            The complete list of beneficiary agencies and ministries is as follows:

            Charity: Catholic Charities; Clergy Retirement; Diocesan Development; Haitian Apostolate; McAuley Nazareth Home for Boys; Pernet Family Health Services; Retired Priests Health Ministry; St. John Diocesan Cemetery System; Seminarian Health Insurance; Stewardship.

            Education: Advanced Studies for Clergy and Laity; Catholic Campus Ministry; Catholic Schools Department; Central Catholic Schools Subsidy; Diocesan Youth Ministry; Oakhurst Retreat Center; Grants-in-Aid for Catholic School Students; Ongoing Priestly Formation; Religious Education Office; Seminarian Education.

            Ministry: African Ministry; St. Paul Cathedral; Family Life Ministry; Hispanic Ministry; Minister to Priests; Office for Divine Worship; Office of the Diaconate; Respect Life Office; Vocations Office.