STEWARDSHIP APPEAL SURPASSES GOAL

       The 2002 Annual Stewardship Appeal of the Diocese of Brooklyn oversubscribed its goal by more than $1.5 million, according to statistics released by the Stewardship and Development Office.

       Under the theme, "Many Faces---One Church; Working Together---Bringing Hope." the appeal received $5, 975,702 in contributions from members of the 217 parishes in Brooklyn and Queens.  The goal was $4,304,425.

        Through a revenue-sharing formula designed to give parishes a percentage of the proceeds for local use, parishes were recipients of $1,973,961.  Diocesan programs in pastoral ministry, social services, education, clergy training and other services benefited from $4,001,741 of the total funds contributed.

        Plans are under way to launch the 2003 appeal, whose theme will be, "We Remember, We celebrate, We believe---Sharing Christ's Ministry---No One Can Take Your Place."

        Appeal Sunday is scheduled for the weekend of Feb. 22-23.  Commitment Sunday will follow on the weekend of March 1-2.

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