FALL RIVER - The 2008 Catholic Charities Appeal reached $4,296,300.63 as books were closed late last month on the annual fundraising campaign of the Fall River Diocese.

Although the final tally was $10,052 below the all-time high recorded last year, representing a decrease of about two-tenths of 1 percent, diocese officials were pleased given the state of the economy.

"I guess in a campaign that was looking to meet last year's record of $4.3 million you could say we made it," said Catholic Charities Appeal coordinator Mike Donly. "I'm ecstatic."

Proceeds provide the financial support for the many ministries and programs sponsored by the diocese throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands. It began May 1 in the diocese's 94 parishes.

Bishop George W. Coleman extended his deep appreciation to contributors in a letter of thanks in the current issue of the diocesan newspaper, The Anchor. "I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to all who supported and contributed to this year's Catholic Charities Appeal. I am very happy with the results of this very important drive. Especially in light of the current status of the economy, I consider the total amount raised truly excellent, a sign of the tremendous generosity of the good people of our diocese," he said.

"I am extremely grateful to our pastors, staff, and volunteers in our parishes throughout the Diocese of Fall River. They work during the appeal out of a loving awareness of the needs of those who turn to the Church for assistance. Because of the appeal's success this year, we will be able - together as a Church - to offer and provide help through the various agencies and apostolates of our diocese. Ultimately, we can offer those in need the hope that we share as Christians for the future: eternal life with God."

In reflecting on the outcome, Donly said, "To be totally candid, I am not at all amazed at the generosity of our thousands of donors, but I am amazed at their willingness to sacrifice as much as they did with the outlook for the economy being so uncertain. So many of them increased their gifts because they felt that if it was a difficult time for them, how much more difficult must it be for those who have less than they do."

Donly believes that the appeal is a true example of small communities - the parishes - working together for the greater good of the wider community.

"This is testimony once again that the true strength of the appeal is that it is parish based with 94 parish communities working within their boundaries to assist those outside of their boundaries; they are living out the commandment of Jesus to 'love your neighbor as yourself.' "

Individual parish totals can be deceptive as parishes differ in size, demographics, and economic circumstances. However, even with those factors certain achievements can be noted, Donly said.

For instance, in the inner-city parishes of Fall River and New Bedford, there were some solid results despite the economy, and similar gains were seen among parishes in the Attleboro, Cape Cod and Islands and Taunton regions with some having double-digit increases and reaching all-time highs.

More than half of the parishes exceeded their previous year's total, Donly said.

"To have thousands of donors, and to realize a total of nearly $4.3 million speaks volumes to the credibility of the Catholic Charities Appeal and those who support it," he said. Sincere thanks are extended to all who worked so hard and were so generous in making this year's Appeal such a success. These thanks are echoed, I am sure, by the tens of thousands of families and individuals who will be assisted and ministered to by appeal-funded agencies and services."

Donations, and bequests for the Catholic Charities Appeal are always accepted. Call the appeal office at 508-675-1311 or visit the Catholic Charities website at www.frdioc-catholiccharities.org.