The Annual Catholic Appeal is about halfway through its 2010 campaign, and so far, the response has been very good. So far, donors have pledged $15.5 million and paid $11.6 million to the appeal, which helps pay for ministries throughout the archdiocese, said Barbara Shea Collins, the director of development services for the archdiocese. “We just want to express our gratitude for the generosity of the people in this archdiocese,” Collins said. Despite a still-shaky economy, the appeal has about $500,000 more in pledges than it had at the same time last year at this point. It has actually collected about $600,000 more than last year as of early July, Collins said, and the number of donors has stayed steady at about 89,000. “It seems as though donors are giving more this year,” Collins said. “People who call us are expressing that they feel very fortunate to be in a position to be able to give.” Money from the Annual Catholic Appeal goes to needy schools and parishes as well as to religious education and ministerial formation, and initiatives to foster respect for life and make the world more just, peaceful and loving, Collins said. Through support of Catholic Relief Services, the appeal serves people worldwide, without regard for religious affiliation, whose lives are devastated by natural disasters, illnesses, wars and famines. Much of the money collected also stays in the home parishes of donors. Any amount collected from each parish above its goal — usually set at 6 percent of its ordinary annual income — is rebated to that parish. So far, well more than half the archdiocese’s parishes, missions and other entities have reached their goals in terms of pledges, Collins said. Rebates are made based on actual collections. In past years, more than 90 percent of the money pledged has been collected. The appeal year runs through Jan. 31, 2011, so there is still time for people to give. Anyone who wants to make a donation to the Annual Catholic Appeal should contact their local parish, visit www.annualcatholicappeal.com or call (312) 534-7959.