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September 14, 2018September 14, 2018, WORCESTER, MA – “We are grateful to God that thousands of people responded with great generosity to this year’s appeal,” said Bishop Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester. The Development Office for the Diocese of Worcester release its final report today, showing that it had received 16,454 gifts and pledges totaling $5,076,252, thereby exceeding the $5 million goal for the third consecutive year. The campaign officially launched at the beginning of Lent following a kickoff at the Chancery Offices of the Diocese of Worcester.
“Allow me to express my sincere gratitude to each person who responded to this year’s appeal,” commented Bishop McManus. “Thousands of people find a source of hope each day thanks to the 28 pastoral, charitable and educational agencies and ministries which are supported by Partners in Charity.”
At the conclusion of the appeal, 64 of the 96 parishes and three missions have met or exceeded their goal. It received a total of 16,454 gifts at an average of $304. “It has been a very positive campaign,” noted Mr. Gillespie, “Pastors, parish administrators and lay parish leaders have been very supportive. That makes all the difference.”
Along with Development Office staff, members of this year’s Partners in Charity advisory board include Dr. Mary Lou Anderson, dean emerita, Assumption College; Rev. James J. Caldarella, retired Minister to Priests; Mrs. Diane Cetin, Partners coordinator, St. Joseph Parish, Charlton; Mrs. Judy Curini, The Catholic Free Press; Rev. Juan Escudero, administrator, St. Denis Parish, Douglas; Deacon Stephen Kohut, deacon at Our Lady of Czestochowa, Worcester; Mr. Kevin Kieler, parishioner, St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Westborough; and Rev. Jonathan Slavinskas, pastor, Our Lady of Providence, Worcester. Mr. Gillespie stressed that once again the appeal benefitted from increased leadership giving among the various societies which range from annual commitments of $300 to $7,500 or more. 4,226 households joined societies this year totaling $3,947,157. “The growing commitment from donors who have joined societies and have increased their support is helping us to support ministries that reflect our mission as Catholics,” he added. All of the society honor rolls are publicly acknowledged after the appeal has concluded in a published appeal report. The final list is published online by the end of the fall. Last year’s report is available online at partners-charity.net.
This year’s campaign theme “Faith in Action: Loving God by serving others,” was taken from the words of Dorothy Day, Servant of God, who dedicated her life to serving the poor with dignity.
The goal has been $5 million since the 2011 campaign, which raised $4,724,352. During the 2012 appeal it raised $4,835,997. In 2013 the appeal ended with $4,868,683. In 2014, the campaign raised $4,823,028 and announced the receipt of a bequest for $1.6 million. In 2015 it raised $4,881,859. In 2016 it surpassed its goal finishing at $5,044,850. 2017’s final number was $5,125,527.
The twenty-eight agencies and ministries which receive funding from the appeal are Priests’ Retirement, Retired Priests Health Ministry, Catholic Charities, Haitian Apostolate, McAuley Nazareth Home for Boys, Pernet Family Health Services, St. John Diocesan Cemetery System, Diocesan Development & Stewardship, Catholic Campus Ministry, Catholic Schools Office, Office of Religious Education, Ongoing Priestly Formation, New Evangelization Worcester for Youth & Young Adults, Catholic School Grants-in-Aid, Seminarian Education, Central Catholic Schools Subsidy, Advanced Studies for Clergy and Laity, Communications Ministry, African Ministry, Hispanic Ministry, Pastoral Planning, Office of Marriage and Family, Minister to Priests, Office of the Diaconate, Respect Life Office, Cathedral of St. Paul, Vocations Office and House of Studies, Office for Divine Worship.
For more information on the appeal, including a list of the results by parish, visit www.partners-charity.net.
Click for photo album of Partners event.
