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.

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

“It has been a challenge for five years to reach a $5 million goal, but this year our fervent prayer was that we would make it,” said Michael Gillespie, director of the Office of Stewardship and Development, reflecting on this year’s Annual Partners in Charity Appeal. His office announced today that, as of the end of the day August 31, it has received 17,857 gifts and pledges totaling $5,022,168, thereby exceeding the $5 million goal. The campaign officially launched at an event at the Diocesan Chancery on February 11. The official total may take another week to determine given that some gifts are still in transit.

“Reaching $4 million at this point in our campaign is testimony to the generosity of our people,” said Bishop McManus. “Our appeal theme, Called to be Merciful, is not just a slogan. The need is great, certainly beyond the $5 million goal of this appeal, and so many people are seeking hope through our many agencies and ministries. I thank God that people are willing to show their gratitude to God for the gifts they have received in their lives and help us respond through charitable, educational and pastoral outreach.”

The Annual Partners in Charity Appeal has raised 65% of its diocesan goal of $5 million. $3,316,786 has been received in pledges and cash since February.

As we approach the 2016 Partners in Charity Appeal, I would like to thank all of you who made a sacrificial gift to the 2015 Appeal. It is with sincere gratitude and appreciation that acknowledge your continued generosity. Partners in Charity, formerly known to our founding donors as the Bishop’s Fund, is the diocesan appeal that sustains the educational, social and charitable ministries of our Catholic faith community...

Parish goals for the 2016 Partners in Charity Appeal have been set using a new goal formula that will increase some goals and lower others. Parish goals for the 2016 appeal are calculated using the individual parish’s ordinary income, using a three-year rolling average. Taking the offertory income into account, the new goal formula places parish goals more in line with each parish’s financial situation.