With less than a week to go, the Diocese of Fall River's annual fundraising campaign has raised more than $3 million, but is still well short of its goal.

"It's a lot of money, but it's still a long way from our goal of raising as much as possible and surpassing last year's record-setting total of $4.3 million," said Mike Donly, the diocesan director of development, who is coordinating the 2008 Catholic Charities Appeal.

The local parish that has raised the most money so far is Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Seekonk, where parishioners had donated $103,443 by June 5.

Next on the list were St. Mary in Mansfield, which has raised $82,360; St. Mark's in North Attleboro, with $53,240; and St. John the Evangelist in Attleboro, with $51,449.

This year's fundraising campaign ends on June 19. The money will be needed more than ever this year as the economy continues to go downhill, diocesan spokesman John Kearns said. "That certainly impacts the number of people coming to diocesan ministries, in particular for those ministries that are run under our Catholic Social Services," he said. "That's the first place (people) go to."

The money raised in the Catholic Charities Appeal provides funding for the charitable ministries, programs and social work performed by the diocese, including food pantries, foreclosure counseling, temporary housing, and ministries for families, college students, and hospital patients. The diocese provides help to Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

"Being able to minister to literally thousands of people who need assistance is the real goal of the appeal, and we can't do that without our steadfast supporters and - we hope - many new donors," Donly said.

Donations can be sent to Catholic Charities Appeal Office, P.O. Box 1470, Fall River, MA 02722; dropped off at any parish; or made online at www.frdioc-catholiccharities.org.

For more information, visit the Web site or call 508-675-1311.