FILCA attends Mass of Installation for new Archbishop of N.Y. Rev. Ronald Hicks
By Cristina DC Pastor
The Filipino Catholic Apostolate proudly attended the Mass of Installation for the Most Reverend Ronald A. Hicks, the 11th Archbishop of New York. FILCA was represented by its Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Rhey Garcia. Bishop Hicks is succeeding Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
FILCA was the first Filipino organization to meet with Archbishop Hicks who previously served as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Chicago from 2018 to 2020 and later as Bishop of Joliet, also in Illinois, from 2020 to 2026.
“There were a handful of Filipinos who were at the Mass of Installation and even the Solemn Vespers. However, they did not represent FILCA,” said President Sunny Cervantes when reached by The FilAm.
FILCA is “deeply grateful” to the Archdiocese of New York for including the Filipino Catholic Apostolate in its roster of apostolates, affirming the important role of Filipino Catholics within the archdiocese, said the press statement.
“The Filipino Catholic Apostolate remains steadfast in its mission to support the spiritual life of Filipino Catholics through liturgical celebrations, cultural traditions, and community outreach.
“FILCA looks forward to working closely with Archbishop Hicks in fostering faith, service, and fellowship within the diverse communities of the Archdiocese of New York.”
FILCA is the oversight body of all Filipino Catholic events in the archdiocese. All Filipino Catholic events under the Archdiocese of New York must be endorsed by Fr. Garcia (through FILCA) to the Cultural Diversity Apostolate before it can be approved for implementation. Fr. Garcia is the pastor of the Church of the Sacred Heart on Staten Island.
“FILCA is still very young so not a lot of people in the Filipino Catholic community are aware of its existence or its functions,” said Cervantes.
In essence, FILCA does not have individual members. Once incorporated, it will have all Filipino organizations — whether religious or not — under its umbrella.
“That way, if they want to do a Catholic event, FILCA can review and endorse it to the Archdiocese via the Cultural Diversity Apostolate. Example, a parish would want to hold a Simbang Gabi. That event goes through FILCA for endorsement and approval. Any event that uses the name of the Archdiocese of New York in general and. St. Patrick’s Cathedral in particular must go through FILCA,” shared Cervantes.
To date, FILCA has done two events in 2025: The San Lorenzo Ruiz mass on September 14 and the Simbang Gabi Sa Katedral on December 6. Both of these events will be annual events in the FILCA calendar, she said.
An upcoming event is on May 24, 2026, the first Santacruzan of the Archdiocese of New York and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It will be the first major Filipino Catholic event under the new leadership of Archbishop Hicks.
