Welcome Archbishop Hicks!

I am a virtual parishioner of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and a virtual member of the Archdiocese of New York.  By that, I mean that I regularly participate in the 7 am daily Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral via the Catholic Channel 129 on Sirius XM Radio.  I am abundantly grateful to the Archdiocese of New York and Sirius XM Radio for offering the Daily Mass.  

 
I am a great admirer of Timothy Cardinal Dolan, the recently retired Archbishop of New York.  After 17 years of faithful service, he has retired.  I will very much miss hearing him offer Daily Mass on the Catholic Channel.  He is a passionate and ardent promoter of Christ’s Gospel and defender of human life and dignity.  

 
I will never forget Cardinal Dolan’s prayer at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, in which he brought the light of Christ and the message of life into a venue and an organization that has become increasingly anti-life, and anti-religion.  He was without hyperbole, a modern-day Daniel in the Lions’ Den.   That day, he prayed:

 
Thus do we praise you for the gift of life. Grant us the courage to defend it, life, without which no other rights are secure. We ask your benediction on those waiting to be born, that they may be welcomed and protected. Strengthen our sick and our elders waiting to see your holy face at life’s end, that they may be accompanied by true compassion and cherished with the dignity due those who are infirm and fragile.

Last Friday, the Most Reverend Ronald A. Hicks was installed as the 14th bishop/archbishop of New York.  He has some very impressive shoes to fill, as his predecessors include Cardinal Dolan, John Cardinal O’Connor, and Venerable Servant of God Terence Cardinal Cooke.

 
Archbishop Hicks comes to New York from Illinois.  He was born in Harvey, Illinois on 4 August 1967 and raised in South Holland, Illinois, in the same suburban region of Chicago as Pope Leo XIV.   He was educated at Loyola University of Chicago, University of Saint Mary of the Lake and Saint Joseph College Seminary.  On 21 May 1994, he was ordained as a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago.  He has previously served as Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago and Bishop of Joliet, Illinois.  

 
I had never heard of Archbishop Hicks until Pope Leo XIV’s December announcement that he would be the successor of Cardinal Dolan.  Initially I was apprehensive because of his connection with Cardinal Blaise Cupich.   

I am still learning about Archbishop Hicks. In this last week, I have heard him celebrate Mass and preach the Gospel twice on the Catholic Channel.  Thus far I am impressed with his piety and his humility.  

 
Accordingly, I offer my heartfelt prayers and best wishes for the spiritual success of his ministry and that of the Archdiocese of New York.  

 
I humbly ask the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen Archbishop Hicks as he assumes responsibility for shepherding and serving the Archdiocese of New York and grant him and the people of New York City His abundant graces, love and blessings.  In Christ our Lord’s name.