Looking back on the Catholic Appeal in their parish last year, Jim and Eileen Tempero of Brookline had much to celebrate.

"We were overwhelmed by the generosity of St. Mary's parishioners," Temperos said. "We surpassed our parish goal for the first time in many years. We are so grateful."

The Temperos echoed the sentiments of more than 100 parish appeal coordinators who led the 2015 appeal to raise almost $15.6 million. For the second year in a row, the number of donors to the appeal (49,200) increased over the year prior. Appeal officials said they were most encouraging was the support received from 7,200 new donors.

The Catholic Appeal supports the central ministries of the Archdiocese of Boston, at work every day in parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations in the archdiocese. The Appeal provides half of the central ministries' budget of $33.8 million, supporting an overall archdiocesan budget of $350.7 million.

Father Brian Clary, Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Brookline, said "The Appeal is at work in so many ways at St. Mary's. From young adult and campus ministry programs to adult faith formation and services that help maintain our properties -- all of these programs are supported by the Appeal. The rebate we received was especially needed; like so many other parishes, we had some significant snow plowing bills last year."

In 2015, parishes received rebates of almost $2.1 million. Rebates are funds returned to parishes once they meet their annual assessment. Since 2013, the number of parishes receiving rebates has increased 49 percent from 145 to 216.

Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley expressed his gratitude to the volunteers, pastors, and parish staff who work on the appeal from February to June.

"The 50 central ministries are essential to our shared mission of evangelization and outreach to those in need. I am deeply grateful to those who believe in and support these ministries through their generosity to the Catholic Appeal," the cardinal said. "Thank you for being a witness to the beauty of our faith fully alive and growing stronger in our Archdiocese of Boston."