NEW ROCHELLE — Faith, service, and the strength of a united community were at the forefront on April 30 as Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks hosted his second evening prayer service for the Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal at the Wykagyl Country Club.

Addressing approximately 180 attendees, Archbishop Hicks continued his effort to engage directly with the faithful and benefactors of the Appeal, emphasizing that the Church’s mission is shared by all. Although the campaign reflects the generosity of many, he noted that its deeper strength lies in the spiritual unity of those who support it.

“As followers of Jesus, our lives are not about ourselves,” Archbishop Hicks said. “We are commanded to love one another, serve one another, and to wash each other’s feet.”

The Appeal has surpassed the halfway point toward its $21 million goal, a milestone made possible through the commitment of donors, parish pastors, and volunteers across the Archdiocese of New York. Even so, the focus of the evening remained on fostering broader participation throughout all parishes rather than on financial benchmarks alone.

Archbishop Hicks underscored that the Appeal is not simply a fundraising effort but an invitation for individuals and families to actively live their faith. Expanding on this message, he told those gathered:

“You are people of faith, you are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, you are baptized, you are made in God’s image and likeness, you love the Church, you want the faith in our Church and the life to be passed on, so you put your faith into action to make sure all of those things happen.”

The evening concluded with a call to action, as Archbishop Hicks encouraged attendees to serve as ambassadors within their parish communities. He stressed that the impact of the archdiocese grows when parishioners invite others to participate, ensuring that the Church’s mission to serve those in need remains a truly communal effort.

The archdiocese invites all members of the New York Catholic community to participate in the ongoing campaign. For more information, visit cardinalsappeal.org, email cardinals.appeal@archny.org, or call (646) 794-3300.