BishopAccountability.org
	Diocesan Drive Surpasses Goal By Beatrice O'Quinn The Republican January 19, 2008 http://www.masslive.com/news/republican/index.ssf?/base/living-2/120073260580420.xml&coll=1 The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield's annual Catholic Appeal has raised almost $3 million in its most successful campaign for a decade. The charitable appeal collected $2,932,756 last year, exceeding its 2006 drive by $10,000. The Most Rev. Timothy A. McDonnell, bishop, said that for a second year in a row the appeal exceeded its goal. "My sincere thanks and appreciation to the generosity of the people of the Diocese of Springfield in response to our needs," he said this week. "My pledge is that I will always use the resources made available to the diocese as a good Gospel steward." At least 32 parishes exceeded their individual goals, earning their parish communities rebates totaling more than $190,000. In total, more than 26,000 donors participated in this year's campaign. The average gift was $107, said diocesan officials. This year, 43 agencies and ministries will receive funding as a result of appeal donations. Among the recipients are an $18,000 grant to Bethlehem House, an Easthampton-based Catholic pregnancy resource center, and a $1,500 grant to help fund spiritual outreach to inmates at local correctional centers. A list of 2007 appeal allocations is available on-line at www.diospringfield.org under the heading, "Annual Catholic Appeal." Over the course of its 48-year history, the annual appeal has raised more than $93 million. The 2008 annual Catholic Appeal weekend will be April 26-27.
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