DETROIT — Changing Lives Together, the Archdiocese of Detroit’s capital stewardship initiative, topped $50 million in pledges in mid-June on its way toward a final goal of $135 million.

With pledges still coming in, the total had reached $52.1 million as of July 9.

With the parishes of the archdiocese conducting their CLT campaigns in waves, the pledges received to date represent the ongoing or recently concluded campaigns in the 124 parishes of the first three waves.

The results demonstrate “encouraging progress,” said Bill Blaul, CLT communications coordinator. Campaigns are to be launched in 69 more parishes late this summer — the fourth and largest of the campaign’s five waves.

The more than 35,000 individual pledges received so far are mostly commitments by ordinary parishioners to support the five-year campaign and its primary objective of strengthening the local parishes of the archdiocese, Blaul said.

While a few large gifts have been received, Blaul said, the archdiocese plans to approach major donors near the end of the campaign, rather than at an early stage.

Parishes will receive 70 percent of the funds they raise during the campaign, and can use those pledges for parish-driven objectives. For many parishes, the choice includes a combination of capital improvements and paying down debts.

For example, Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Waterford, is using part of its $830,000 raised so far to finish renovations at its school, including new light fixtures, ceilings, floors and state-of-the-art classroom technology and computers.

“It really helped that parishioners knew our parish plan, could see the results, and saw that we were committed to making the school a great facility for learning,” said Fr. Lawrence Delonnay, pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes.

Similarly, at Our Lady of Albanians, Southfield, which tripled its campaign goal of more than $185,000, projects will include replacing the church roof, resurfacing the parking lot, updating the church altar and renovated bathrooms.

“Word is spreading, pledges are being fulfilled, and parishes are getting stronger,” said Mike Vlasic, chairman of the CLT steering committee.

“Parishes are reinvigorating their ministries, improving their facilities, and increasing participation in sacramental life, which is exactly what we want to achieve through this initiative,” he said.

The remaining 30 percent is earmarked for three purposes — strengthening the Catholic presence in the city of Detroit; assisting Catholic families to attend Catholic schools; and the formation of both ordained and lay leaders for the future of the local Church.

Blaul said the 19 parishes in the pilot first wave have all exceeded their individual goals, while those in the second and third waves have reached more than 80 percent of their goals, as their campaigns continue.

“We are optimistic we will be successful in these as well,” he added.