Dear Friend,
After a most effective 17 years as our spiritual leader, Cardinal Dolan officially passed the “Shepherd’s Staff” to our new archbishop, the Most Reverend Ronald A. Hicks, who comes to us from Joliet, Illinois. In a recent letter to parishioners, Archbishop Hicks shared his heartfelt support for the Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal, affirming a shared vision of care, compassion, and community. As we move through this transition, we keep both leaders in our prayers.
During this Lenten season, I hope you will take a moment to reflect on this joyful time in our Church. We are reminded of the faithful commitment of our archbishops, both past and present, and their tireless work to live out their faith in the Gospel.
We are only able to continue this vital work of ours through your support of the Appeal which allows us to advance the Church’s mission—to be the hands and feet of Christ throughout the archdiocese and beyond.
The Appeal greatly strengthens our Church by providing essential resources to struggling parishes, supporting charitable outreach to New York’s most vulnerable, funding Catholic education and faith formation, ensuring the care of retired priests, preparing future clergy, and empowering pastoral initiatives that deepen community engagement and spiritual growth.
You may have recently received a letter from your pastor, asking you to consider Archbishop Hick’s request for a gift to the Appeal. I join him in inviting you to consider in your prayer how the Lord is calling you to participate in the 2026 Appeal. Like so many of you will prayerfully do, I have also made my own contribution through my parish.
I encourage you to donate today. Gifts can be made online at www.cardinalsappeal.org/donate. If you have already made your contribution, thank you for your generosity. Together, through this Appeal, we are living the Gospel in action. May we trust that whatever we give in love, God multiplies greatly for his glory.
I send you every good wish in God the Father and in Jesus Christ, with the prayer that this Lent may be a season of grace, reflection, and renewal.
Faithfully in the Lord,
Reverend Monsignor Joseph P. LaMorte, VG
Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia 
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