The Diocese of Joliet in Illinois hosted a heartfelt farewell mass on Sunday to honor Ronald Hicks, who has been appointed as the Archbishop of New York. The special service was filled with prayers and appreciation for Hicks’ service.
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“My heart is overflowing with gratitude today,” expressed Hicks. “In a few days, I will leave my office and the pastoral center for the last time as I head to New York.”
Hicks, currently the Sixth Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Joliet, is preparing for his upcoming installation as the new Archbishop of New York, a significant milestone in his clerical journey.
The St. Raymond Nonnatus Cathedral was filled with parishioners who gathered for a bilingual mass to give thanks and bid farewell to Hicks.
“He has been a blessing to the community, and he will be equally blessed in New York,” said parishioner Doris Boehm. “We will miss him dearly here.”
Hicks is set to succeed Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who is retiring at 75. This appointment marks a significant decision by Pope Leo XIV, selecting a native of the Chicago area for this prominent role.
Colin McGarel served at the seminary for years under then-Bishop Hicks.
“I think the pope wants to see people with this kind of more broad experience,” McGarel said. “And I think he sees that in Bishop Hicks as a man who’s not only had that wider experience but has also been in a diocese, which has just so many diverse groups in it.”
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New York’s archbishop-designate dedicated his sermon to the congregation.
“Thank you for what you do,” Hicks said. “Thank you for who you are, and thank you for everything that we have shared together.”
And for the last time in Joliet, Hicks ended his mass as he always does, with a plea and a promise of prayers.
“This one last time, I’m going to sincerely ask you for your prayers. Please pray for me. Pray for me when I take these next steps. Pray for me when I start this new life,” Hicks said. “And know that when you are praying for me, I am going to be praying for all of you.”
Although Hicks says he will leave in a few days, he will be officially installed as Archbishop of New York on February 6 at a Mass in St. Patrick Cathedral.
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