So far, after three ShareLife Sunday collections in the parishes, ShareLife has raised slightly more than $10.5 million towards its $13.8-million target from the parish campaign. That leaves just over $3 million left to meet the parish goal when the campaign wraps up July 31.

It doesn’t come as much of a surprise to Arthur Peters, executive director of the charitable fund-raising arm of the Archdiocese of Toronto. He sees this generosity on an annual basis, whether it be from the special ShareLife collections each year or just regular donations coming from Catholics in the pews.

“The Catholic community has always responded to the needs of others and we’re a very generous community here in the Archdiocese of Toronto,” said Peters.

While there’s no guarantee the goal will be met, Peters expects it to at least come close. Last year the parish campaign fell about $200,000 short of its $13.5-million goal. Falling short, however, has never dissuaded ShareLife from aiming higher. Despite the shortfall, it upped its target by $500,000.

Part of the reason for the increase has been allocations to ShareLife’s more than 40 agencies have risen by about half a million dollars. Most of that is for the three agencies that will no longer be accepting United Way funds, as ShareLife is stepping in with a $460,000 allocation for Catholic Family Services of Peel-Dufferin, Catholic Crosscultural Services and Vita Manor.

The parish campaign is the largest of the three components of the ShareLife campaign which has set a goal of raising $15.5 million. The corporate campaign is aiming to raise another $1 million with the rest from the schools campaign.

ShareLife funds aid numerous projects that help people with special needs, family services, young mothers, immigrants and the education of clergy, among others. Funds are used to help any who are in need, no matter their faith.

Peters is confident Catholics will help push this year’s campaign over the top. 

“We’re always thankful for the generosity of the parishioners of the archdiocese and mindful of the needs of the agencies and we ask parishioners to make a donation to meet these goals and support the work they do,” said Peters.