The 2012 Annual Catholic Appeal, “Sharing Our Gifts to Build God’s Kingdom in Brooklyn and Queens,” is off to a promising start.  After conducting in-pew weekends in the parishes, pledges have already exceeded $5.4 million with actual receipts exceeding $3.3 million from more than 20,660 donors.

The following parishes already have reached their goal in pledges:

Brooklyn: Assumption B.V.M., 122.44% of goal; St. Athanasius, Bensonhurst, 107.23%; St. Columba, Marine Park, 157.91%; St. Charles Borromeo, Brooklyn Heights, 140.35%; St. Ephrem, Dyker Heights, 100.95%; St. Finbar, Bath Beach, 118.07%; St. Frances Cabrini, Bensonhurst, 149.32%; Holy Name, Park Slope, 103.82%; St. James Cathedral-Basilica, Downtown Brooklyn, 221.35%; St. Joseph, Pacific St., 314.52%; Our Lady Help of Christians, Midwood, 202.69%; Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, Park Slope, 109.11%; St. Patrick, Bay Ridge, 115.31%; St. Paul and St. Agnes, Cobble Hill, 132.23%; Sacred Hearts-St. Stephen, Carroll Gardens, 115.55%; and SS. Simon and Jude, Gravesend, 116.48%.

Queens: American Martyrs, Bayside, 131.09%; St. Anastasia, Douglaston, 117.36%; Corpus Christi, Woodside, 105.08%; St. John Vianney, Flushing, 598.93%; St. Mel’s, Flushing, 114.25%; Our Lady of Hope, Middle Village, 118.3%; and St. Teresa, Woodside, 136.41.

In addition, Assumption, Our Lady Help of Christians, St. Frances Cabrini, St. James Cathedral, St. John Vianney, and St. Joseph all have exceeded their goal in receipts.  All money collected over goal is returned to the parish for its general use.

To make a pledge to the Annual Catholic Appeal, go online to rcdobdonate.org.  To contact the Appeal, call 718-965-7300.