MANHATTAN – The Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal annual Prayer Service took place at the Metropolitan Club on Wednesday, March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation.

Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks was joined by 120 parishioners from around the archdiocese, who are members of the Cardinal’s Appeal Giving Societies, to recognize their distinguished levels of giving.

The Appeal is an archdiocesan campaign which raises $21 million annually to “sustain the mission of our Church and to ensure that it remains strong and responsive to the needs of our people,” said Ann Gillin Lefever, Chairperson of the Lay Leadership Advisory Committee to the Appeal.

Archbishop Hicks, reflecting on the Annunciation in his homily, exhorted the attendees to follow the example of Mary, the Mother of God. He said, “Her ‘Yes’ with trust and following the will of the Father was her entire life…  Her love was complete.”

Archbishop Hicks ended the evening with a note of gratitude. He said, “I say, thank you, thank you, and thank you. If you remember anything I say tonight, just remember these words.’ It’s a thank you for who you are, thank you for what you do, and thank you for being here tonight, keeping faith important, wanting to have a vibrant Church, and wanting the faith to be passed on to the next generations.”

This marks the first Appeal event of 2026 led by Archbishop Hicks.

For more information on the Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal or to contribute, please visit cardinalsappeal.org, email cardinals.appeal@archny.org, or call (646) 794-3300.

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Mae Longo and James McEvoy contributed this article to The Good Newsroom.