New Role for Staten Island Pastor

A well-liked pastor from Staten Island’s high school scene has been named the secretary to incoming Archbishop Ronald Hicks.

Father John McCarthy, who has served as chaplain and teacher at St. Joseph-by-the-Sea, received this appointment from Cardinal Timothy Dolan as he wraps up his tenure before retirement, the school announced recently.

Principal Fr. Michael Reilly expressed, “We’ll definitely miss him, and it’s hard to quantify all he has done for our students,” adding a personal touch that speaks to McCarthy’s impact.

“Archbishop-elect Hicks might not realize it yet, but he’s about to gain a truly exceptional priest who will support him tremendously,” Reilly added.

McCarthy began his new position on January 1, right before Hicks’s official installation on February 4 as Archbishop of New York, which encompasses the entire state, minus Brooklyn and Queens.

In his role as secretary, McCarthy will provide essential administrative support and act as a bridge between Hicks and other clergy members. During Mass, he’ll be at the altar with Hicks, offering the cane and the Bible when it’s time for readings.

He’ll also serve as an important advisor as Hicks takes on the leadership of a large congregation of around 2.8 million. McCarthy, at 46, has led St. Joseph-by-the-Sea since 2015, engaging with about 1,200 students.

His responsibilities have included teaching four classes, organizing religious retreats, leading confessions, and running clubs such as the Confirmation program and Holy Name Society, according to Reilly.

McCarthy also enjoyed the special privilege of leading the annual Automobile Blessing tradition for seniors.

Previously, he served as executive pastor at Visitation Parish in the Bronx and as rector in two Staten Island parishes. He was ordained on May 14, 2005.

Hicks was selected by Pope Leo XIV to take over from Cardinal Dolan, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 in February of last year.