HOPE Appeal supports essential services, ministries

Ava Darisaw, a parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Syracuse, attended the HOPE Appeal campaign kickoff for Vicariate III on Sept. 2 at Blessed Sacrament School. She contributes annually because she said its reach is all-encompassing, and she truly believes that it is God’s work. “If we are able to provide a meal or pray for someone who is a shut-in or allow someone to have some comfort while in the hospital, it shows that God’s work is all around us in everything that we do,” said Darisaw.

As demand grows for essential services and ministries to individuals and families in need, so too does the generosity of those who donate to the annual HOPE Appeal. Last year, the campaign raised a record-breaking $5 million, a milestone made possible by our donors’ charitable contributions. This critical funding supports vital community services — including food pantries, Catholic Charities, emergency services, and social justice programs — and addresses the immediate and ever-growing needs affecting lives in every city, town, and rural area in our diocese.

The hospital and homebound ministries are among the 26 programs supported by the HOPE Appeal. The funding helps chaplains, priests, deacons, and volunteers bring spiritual comfort, a listening ear, and a compassionate presence to the homebound, those hospitalized, and families when they need it most.

Foundation Director Beth Hoey enjoys a little banter with parishioners at Sacred Heart in Cicero, another Hope Appeal gathering that took place the evening after they met at Blessed Sacrament in Syracuse.

We reached out to Deacon Tom Cuskey, who serves at Christ the King Parish and Pope John XXIII Parish in Liverpool. He directs liturgy planning, coordinates care for the homebound, and serves as a part-time Catholic chaplain at Upstate Medical Center.

He and other hospital chaplains throughout the diocese join priests, deacons, and laypeople to provide comfort and spiritual care to patients, staff members, and family members. Dc. Tom is assigned to the emergency department at Upstate Hospital and, when working downtown, has served people in a wide range of situations. As a regional trauma center, people involved in some of the most challenging situations come through the doors of Upstate, Dc. Tom said. “There are two moments that stick out in my mind involving young people who passed — one from gun violence and another from a chronic illness,” he said.

“It is a humbling privilege to be with a patient at that moment, as well as the family members. Words are so important, as we all believe that a person’s sense of hearing is always active. But often, especially with a family, it is presence and sacred silence that is required.

“To simply place one’s hand on the shoulder of someone who is on the edge of grief is sometimes all that is required,” he continued. “Afterwards, chaplains seek out staff to offer comfort to them. We are not immune to the emotions of the moment.”

Contributions from local parishioners through the annual HOPE Appeal directly train, support, and sustain the pastoral care providers who offer comfort to the sick and their families. “It is a privilege to be there,” said Dc. Tom. “And one I hope I will never get too accustomed to.”

“Perhaps one of the greatest ministries we can provide is to bring the Holy Eucharist to those individuals who are ill or unable to go to Mass,” added Dc. Bob Fangio, a deacon at Holy Family Church in Fairmount. “Whenever I have the honor, privilege, and special blessing to visit the sick and homebound, I am reminded of how important it is for them to see a clergy member or layperson representing our Church. By taking time for them, we show them the face of Jesus and let them know how much they are loved,” he said.

“I am certain it is the best ‘medicine’ they will ever receive — and it’s made possible through the HOPE Appeal.”

During the campaign kickoff held at Blessed Sacrament, Fr. John Manno, pastor of Holy Family and St. Marianne Cope Parishes, reminded those assembled that, as members of the diocese, we are all in this together. “Where would we be if we didn’t have these ministries which help build up our church and allow us to go forward to continue the mission of Jesus Christ, proclaiming the Gospel to every living creature?” said Fr. Manno. “Remember the words in Ephesians 4:11-12, where Apostle Paul explains that Christ gave leaders to the church ‘to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.’ God gives all of us gifts, talents, and treasures, and He calls us to use them for building up the body of Christ. That is what we are called to do.”

“Together, we are the hands and heart of Christ reaching further than one parish or person could reach alone,” added Bishop Douglas J. Lucia. “Your support of the 2026 HOPE Appeal enables us to build a foundation of faith, grow together as one family in Christ, and spread hope to a world that longs for it.”

To make a gift online or for more information, visit www.syracusediocese.org/hopeappeal. To mail your gift, send it to 2026 HOPE Appeal, 240 East Onondaga Street, Syracuse NY 13202-2608.