April 17, 2005

Annual Catholic Appeal has goal of $2.9 million

PITTSFIELD (MA)
Berkshire Eagle

By D.R. Bahlman
Berkshire Eagle Staff

PITTSFIELD -- The international spotlight that has focused on the late Pope John Paul II's legacy of "reaching out and reminding us that we are one family under God" will help draw attention to the importance of the Annual Catholic Appeal, according to Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell of Springfield.

McDonnell, who kicked off the 2005 appeal at a chapel in downtown Springfield on Thursday, said in a telephone interview that the beneficiaries of the appeal, which last year included 42 ministries, agencies and programs, are as much in need as they have ever been.

This year's goal for the Springfield diocese, said McDonnell, is $2.9 million. That is roughly the amount raised last year, when the goal was $3.1 million.

McDonnell described as "phenomenal" the generosity exhibited in 2004 as the church faced waves of controversy associated with claims of sexual abuse made against former Bishop Thomas L. Dupre.

Posted by kshaw at April 17, 2005 04:11 AM