There are a lot of important positions in the Diocese of Worcester, and, as director of the Office for Vocations, Father Donato Infante III certainly has one of them.

If you have asked the question “Is Partners in Charity taking place this year?” the simple answer is a resounding “Yes.” But it may not be quite the same appeal you are used to experiencing.

A strong finish in a tough year for fundraising

In our own diocese, we are responding to people in need, in large part, through the 25 agencies and ministries supported by Partners in Charity.

In the spirit of St. Peter Chrysologus, Msgr. Thomas Sullivan comes before you on behalf of others - the tens of thousands of persons our diocese serves each year through the annual Partners in Charity Appeal.

“Catholic Charities brings the light of Christ during these dark times by simply being here,” said Maydee Morales, director of emergency services for Catholic Charities Worcester County.

Pledges to Partners in Charity have exceeded $1 million the week after Partners launched it general appeal on Ash Wednesday.

“People want to be part of something that’s going to be successful,” says Father Adam Reid, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Webster. So he’s trying a different approach to soliciting parishioners’ contributions to the Partners in Charity Appeal this year.

Want to start or revamp youth ministry in your parish or just get some new ideas? Diocesan youth ministry office has a plan.

Most parishes in the diocese are to launch the Partners in Charity Annual Appeal during Lent, the season of almsgiving.