Despite our own challenges at this difficult time, we can help meet others’ needs.
There is still time to make a gift and support the ministries funded by Partners in Charity, Michael P. Gillespie, director of the Stewardship and Development Office, said this week. The appeal ends Aug. 31.
While acknowledging that raising money for the annual diocesan appeal has been especially challenging this year, he also looks on the bright side.
“We know that these are trying times,” he said. “Not everybody’s come back to church,” where they could learn more about the appeal and ways to contribute to it. So the development office has been doing more direct mailings on behalf of the parishes.
The pandemic has not only kept some folks from attending church; it has cost some their jobs. Also impacting Partners is the diocesan capital campaign, Legacy of Hope. But that’s common when dioceses have capital campaigns, according to Mr. Gillespie. A number of donors give to the capital campaign, which will also benefit their parish, instead of to the annual appeal. When asked to make multiple gifts, people often choose what is most important to them.
In our diocese “a number of donors gave to Legacy of Hope who have yet to give to Partners” this year, Mr. Gillespie said.
A block of parishes collected donations for Partners in January and February and for Legacy of Hope from March through June. In July and August, those that did not reach their Partners goal continued that collection.
Several parishes that haven’t reached their goal have brought in more gifts than they did last year, Mr. Gillespie said.
“The success is that we’ve got more gifts so far” this year than last year, he said. As of this week there were more than 250 more gifts than at the end of the appeal last year.
“It’s the level of involvement” that’s important; Partners can’t rely on just a few donors, Mr. Gillespie said. “No one parish can support a ministry. It takes a collective of all the parishes.”
This week the appeal was ahead of where it was at this time last year, closer to goal, with more money raised.
Mr. Gillespie said they need to continue to educate people, including new parishioners, about where their contributions go. Accountability is important.
“People are all called to prayerfully consider and make a commitment to help sustain the ministries, to help them grow,” Mr. Gillespie said. “All we can do is express our gratitude. We can’t do it alone.”
So he gave thanks to all those who have responded – “on behalf of the many thousands of people who are impacted by the agencies and ministries supported by Partners in Charity.” He added, “Thanks to the generosity of the people of the Diocese of Worcester, and the leadership of our priests and parish chairpeople, we will be able to respond to those in need.”    
The following agencies and ministries receive money from Partners in Charities to help those in need:
Charity: Catholic Charities, McAuley Nazareth Home for Boys, Pernet Family Health Service, Priests’ Retirement, Retired Priests Health Ministry, St. John Diocesan Cemetery System
Education: Advanced Studies for Clergy and Laity, Catholic Schools Office, Communications Ministry, Grant-in-Aid for Schools, Office of Religious Education, Ongoing Priestly Formation, Seminarian Education
Ministry: African Ministry, Catholic Campus Ministry, Hispanic Apostolate, Minister to Priests, Office for Divine Worship, Office of Hispanic/Latino Ministry, Office of Marriage and Family, Office of the Diaconate, Respect Life Office, St. Paul Cathedral, Vocations Office and House of Studies, Youth and Young Adult Ministries.