LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Catholic Diocese of Lincoln has surpassed its nearly two-year fundraising goal by nearly $10 million.

The church raised close to $62.5 million in cash and pledges through its “Joy of the Gospel” campaign.

The campaign’s initial goal was $53 million to help pay for Catholic schools, seminary education, priests’ retirements, local parish projects and programs supporting evangelization and outreach.

Peter Hoskow, managing director of the fundraising consultant Community Counseling Service, called the campaign “among the most successful diocesan efforts within the Catholic Church in America.”

More than 11,000 Catholic households pledged a five-year gift to the campaign. That’s roughly 45 percent of Catholic households within the diocese.