Last week, Father Joseph O’Connor and the Diocese of Syracuse hosted the Diocesan Vocation Directors from throughout New York State. During their meeting they visited the Shrine of Blessed Mother Marianne Cope, where I celebrated Mass for them. Following is my homily on that occasion.

   I have been thinking about our gathering and this celebration of the Eucharist for the past few days. Certainly it came to mind on Sunday when I traveled to Baltimore for a Board of Trustees Meeting at St. Mary’s Seminary. I thought of it again as I walked the halls of seminary and saw some of the young men who are discerning their vocation to the priesthood at St. Mary’s.  Many of them, and other men at numerous seminaries, have been assisted on their journey by a vocation director, perhaps by one of you. I thought of our gathering also when I reflected on the Easter season and most especially when I considered the Scripture readings from the past couple of days.

The Diocese of Syracuse has always been blessed by the presence of dedicated religious, laity and priests who contribute to bringing to life the healing presence of Jesus and who reflect God’s great love for us.

Recognizing with gratitude their unique gifts and diverse focus of ministry, the diocese has established within its structure offices and commissions, each responding to one of these groups, for instance, Family Life Education, Community Services, Formation for Ministry, Liturgy and RCIA, and many others.  Each office or commission has someone appointed by the Bishop to facilitate that particular area.

John and Jeanette V. Zumpano Sr. will be celebrating their 60th anniversary of wedded bliss on May 24 at an informal family gathering in their home in Utica.

Included in the group honoring this special occasion with their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents renewal of wedding vows to each other will be their 10 children — John, Sylvia, Gina Marie, Salvatore, Antonio, Paul, Michael, James, Robert, Thomas and David Zumpano. Accompanying these “original dozen” will be their spouses: Mrs. Wilma Cook-Zumpano, Mr. James D. Mc Farland II, Mrs. Ann Valentine-Zumpano, Mrs. Patricia Hoerber-Zumpano, Mrs. Lauren Lawless-Zumpano, Mrs Joyce Barbiero Zumpano, Mrs. Robin Guba Zumpano and Mrs. Christine Nakoski Zumpano, along with 35 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, several pets, family friends and acquaintances from over the years.