September 30, 2026|Latest news, Local|

Where HOPE goes

HA26-cross

The HOPE Appeal “human cross” made up of parishioners from across the Diocese of Syracuse.

A closer look at the people and ministries supported by the 2026 HOPE Appeal

For the HOPE Appeal, this year’s theme, “We Are the Body of Christ,” is more than just words —it’s an expression of what’s at the heart of the annual campaign.

“I think this year, more than any other year, there’s been more of a sense of community. … Having everybody come together in the human cross [on the poster and in the video] has really gotten people excited,” said Beth Hoey, executive director for the Foundation of the Diocese of Syracuse. “At every kickoff, people were looking at the poster and saying, ‘Oh, there’s me!’ or ‘Where’s Mary?’ and having their friends come over [to look at the poster], and to me, that’s a very powerful image of people realizing we’re all together in this, as opposed to a question I’ve gotten in the past: ‘Well, how does this benefit me?’”

Just as she does every year, Hoey led seven HOPE and Gratitude Celebration kickoffs — one within each of the seven vicariates that make up the diocese. At each celebration, local parishioners gathered, enjoyed some fellowship and food, listened to presentations from Hoey and Bishop Douglas J. Lucia, and watched the new HOPE Appeal video.

Hoey said these gatherings are important because they remind parishioners that even though we are all spread apart throughout the diocese — and even within vicariates — it’s a chance to see that we’re all connected by the same mission as people of the Catholic faith.

“There was joy. There was so much joy and happiness,” Hoey said with a smile, thinking back to each celebration, which took place over several weeks in August and September. “The idea of ‘everybody has their part’, and not forgetting that everybody has their part … and really being aware. … Here’s this wonderful person, and we’re miles and miles apart, [but] we’re connected by God, and we’re connected by a mission and ministries that we’re trying to support. I really felt it this year. It was joyful.”

The list of 26 ministries supported by the HOPE Appeal is included with every campaign mailing and brochure, including the specific amount of funds designated for each — an amount which is based entirely on each ministry’s specific operating budget for the year. Although this information is front and center, the individual programs and offices that are included in each of the 26 ministries are not always highlighted, simply because there are so many of them. However, Hoey pointed out a few examples that help give a glimpse of what’s made possible when HOPE Appeal funds go to work within the diocese. Here’s a deeper dive into two of those examples:

Family/Respect Life

Project Rachel is a post-abortion healing ministry that recognizes that unresolved issues following abortions are both spiritual and psychological/emotional. The program provides an integrated approach to healing, involving referrals to priests and licensed mental health professionals. Through fostering reconciliation and spiritual healing, Project Rachel aims to respond to the sense of alienation from God and the Church, which often stems from the pain of abortion.

Hoey shared that the diocese’s Project Rachel program, which is focused on the Church’s mission to accompany and support people through the healing process, is one that is kept more private because it’s related to a sensitive topic. “Part of the result of that is a lot of people don’t know about it unless they’re touched by it, or hear about it, or are seeking information on it. We try to let people know that the program is there,” she explained, adding that the ministry has had a significant impact within the diocese, and other dioceses have reached out to learn more about it.

Seminarian, Clergy Education, Deacon Formation, and Vocation Promotion

The St. Thomas Aquinas Fund supports the recruitment and formation of men for Holy Orders as well as the continuing education of diocesan priests and deacons to ensure our church leaders are formed to have an integrated core of human, intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral qualities modeled by Jesus Christ.

Formation and continuing education for clergy, seminarians, and deacons includes many different avenues where HOPE Appeal funds are put to use, Hoey explained. Due to the priest shortage, she added, vocation promotion is a concern for many in the diocese. “One thing we hear about is ‘how are we getting more priests?’ [and] that’s obviously a concern for a lot of people. … One thing that people might not know is we’ve had a very successful vocations promotion [program], which is intentional work Father Jason Hage has done in the past, and this year it’s [led by] Father Brendan Foley and Father Dennis Walker.”

Hoey shared that Father Dennis, who is pastor at St. Patrick Mission in Otisco where she attends, was recently going to a conference for vocation promotion directors across the country because he wants to grow our diocese’s program and make it more impactful. “He would not have been able to do that without this [support],” she said.

Where do we go from here?

During the HOPE Appeal kickoffs, Hoey remembered Bishop Lucia speaking about the current status of the diocese, following some difficult years during the clergy sex abuse crisis and emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. While the diocese is moving forward, but not forgetting people’s experiences during the difficult times, Bishop pondered questions like, “Who are we as a diocese? Where do we go from here?”

Hoey said that to keep strengthening the many ministries in our diocese, everyone is needed to answer the call to a life of stewardship.

“We each have gifts, and we’re called to use them. That’s what it’s going to take moving forward,” she said. “It’s not a passive road ahead of us. It’s going to take each one of us coming together to strengthen the Body of Christ and move forward and help people with their faith. The theme is very important this year. It’s very intentional for where we are right now.”

The 26 HOPE Appeal-supported ministries

Advancing Social Justice

Catholic Charities

Asian & Spanish Ministries

Catholic Deaf Ministry

Social Action Ministry

Jail Ministry

Cathedral Emergency Services

Cultivating Catholic Leadership

Tuition Assistance

Educating Youth in Catholic Faith (Child & Family Catechesis and Catholic Schools)

Campus Ministry