Pope Leo XIV has appointed Most Reverend Ronald A. Hicks, our bishop, as the Metropolitan Archbishop of New York. From February 6, 2025, Bishop Hicks will begin his ministry in New York after Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s retirement. 

We congratulate Bishop Hicks and pray for his strength and wisdom in the new place of his ministry. The Archdiocese of New York has over 1.5 million Catholics. Even though it is smaller than the Archdiocese of Chicago, without a doubt it is the most prominent diocese in the United States, with its influence reaching well beyond its administrative borders. It is a question of time when Bishop Hicks will be nominated a cardinal, having the responsibility, among others, of electing the pope.

Bishop Hicks is well prepared for leading the faithful as a bishop. He served five years as director of an orphanage in El Salvador and speaks Spanish fluently. He was on the faculty of Mundelein Seminary and later worked as vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago. He later became an auxiliary bishop in Chicago. and in 2020, was nominated to lead our diocese.

We very well remember Bishop Hicks visiting our parish for Confirmations, but the most notable was his visit two years ago for the Mass and procession for the Feast of Corpus Christi.  Recently, he celebrated a special Mass here for the Jubilee Year as our church was designated by him to be a pilgrimage church in this Holy Year. We will remember his uplifting homily and pious celebration of the Mass. He opened the replica of the Holy Doors, was the first to pass through them, and invited the entire congregation to follow him.

The engagement and dedication of our community seemingly moved Bishop Hicks deeply and he sent us a card with the following message:  

“Dear Fr. Marek, I was extremely impressed with what I saw at your parish to celebrate the Jubilee Year of hope. It was a joy and honor to celebrate the Mass with you and your community. Keep up the great work as we strive to Make disciples. Peace, Bishop Hicks” 

Yes, Bishop, we promise to keep spreading the Good News to ourselves and others. 

In the letter of congratulations, I wrote to Bishop Hicks:  

“While our diocese will miss your dedicated spiritual and administrative leadership, I’m certain the people of New York will be very much blessed by your ministry at the center of the U.S. 

Your appointment reminded me of George Weigel noting that when Cardinal Wojtyla was elected John Paul II and moved from Krakow to Rome, he realized that now he would have to be even more dedicated to the Church as he moved from the local Church to the world stage.” 

Let’s pray for Bishop Hicks and for abundant graces since he will be responsible for the spiritual welfare of so many people in the Archdiocese of New York. Let’s also pray for a new shepherd of our diocese who we hope will be appointed soon. 

Merry Christmas and God’s blessings for the feast of the Holy Family! 

Fr. Mark Jurzyk