The Village of South Holland proudly celebrates the appointment of Ronald Aldon Hicks as the new Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York, named by Pope Leo XIV on December 18, 2025. Archbishop-elect Hicks will be installed on February 6, 2026.
Born in nearby Harvey and raised in South Holland, Hicks attended St. Jude the Apostle Parish and grade school, where his vocation to the priesthood first took root. His journey from South Holland, a historically faith-based community, to leading one of the nation’s largest archdioceses is a source of great pride for the Village.
“I recognize a lot of similarities between [Pope Leo XIV] and me,” Archbishop-elect Hicks said in a recent interview, reflecting on their shared upbringing in Chicago’s south suburbs, as Pope Leo XIV is from Dolton. “Our houses are literally 14 blocks away from each other. We would have played baseball in the same parks, gone swimming in the same public pool, and we even share a famous pizza place that’s our favorite.”
Former South Holland resident Rob Earnshaw, who attended St. Jude with Hicks from 1973 to 1981, recalls, “I remember him as the kindest, sweetest soul. He always had a smile on his face and was very smart. I look at him now, and he still has that youthful vibrance. I think most of us knew he was going to be a priest.”
Hicks’ path of faith and service exemplifies the values that define South Holland as a community grounded in Faith, Family, and Future. From parish life and Catholic education to national and international leadership within the Church, Archbishop-elect Hicks’ story highlights the lasting impact of South Holland’s emphasis on strong neighborhoods, families, and churches.
Mayor Don De Graff said, “We are deeply proud that someone who grew up in our community—shaped by our schools, our families, and our spirit of service—has been chosen to lead one of the largest archdioceses in the nation. Archbishop-elect Hicks is an inspiration to all South Holland residents and a true embodiment of our motto: Faith, Family, Future.”