As the new year approaches, we’re taking a look back at some of the top stories of 2015.
January
Cummings appointed first female chancellor of diocese
Pope issues ‘firmest condemnation’ of killings at French weekly
Throwback game brings back Parochial League memories
‘Angels’ honored at Catholic Schools dinner
St. Marianne celebrated on her feast day
February
Pastoral planning moves ahead in the diocese
Catechumens celebrated at the Rite of Election; Candidates celebrated at Rite of Recognition
March
Three things every New Evangelist needs
Four national Catholic publications call for ending the death penalty
Remembering Montgomery: Bishop Costello recalls marching, advocating for civil rights
Madam President: Dr. Linda LeMura makes history as the first woman to lead Le Moyne College
2015 religious jubilarians celebrated
April
Pope joins homeless people for private tour of Sistine Chapel
Pope Francis proclaims extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy
Obama and Castro take next steps to normalize U.S.-Cuba ties
In new location, Samaritan Center will feed body and soul
Vatican, LCWR announce conclusion of reform process
2015 priest jubilarians celebrated
May
Father Mike Bassano, Binghamton native, lives with ‘suffering Christ’ at U.N. base in South Sudan
Young boy from Haiti receives life-saving cardiac surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital
Papal nuncio visits Auriesville shrine
Cardinal Dolan, Dolphins discuss opposition surrounding Le Moyne commencement address
Archbishop Oscar Romero beatified
June
Kenneth Kirkman and Peter Tassini, Jr., ordained transitional deacons
Utica native Sister Kathleen Appler, DC, elected Superioress General for the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul
Father Zachary Miller ordained a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse
Catholic Sun sponsors Catholic Schools Night at the Chiefs
14-mile walk raises $40k for St. Mary’s Academy
Pope Francis releases Laudato Si’, encyclical on creation
July
Supreme Court term ends with rulings on same-sex marriage, execution drugs, health care subsidies, more
St. Joseph’s Hospital joins Trinity Health
August
U.S. Embassy in Cuba reopens, ending 54-year diplomatic break
September
Le Moyne College, SU’s iSchool announce expanded partnership for accelerated graduate degree program
Father Arthur Krawczenko becomes U.S. citizen
Syracuse Catholic Schools announce decentralization model for diocesan high schools
Diocese welcomes new school principals
Bishop: ‘No child is responsible for being abused’
‘Merton speaks to us today’
Mercy House celebrates ‘groundbreaking’
From substance to style to symbolism, Pope Francis’ historic visit to the U.S. promises a ‘revolution of tenderness’
America’s pastor: Pope Francis visits the U.S.
Our family in Philly: At the World Meeting of Families with the Denkenbergers
October
Notre Dame School receives $1 million from Good News Foundation
Diocese announces changes to the annulment process
Pilgrimage to Ireland
Synod on the family tackles issues facing modern families
Diocese of Syracuse and district attorneys sign memorandum of understanding
November
Bishop Cunningham: ‘Spotlight’ movie is ‘an important story to be told’
Bishop Cunningham responds to removal petition
Utica marks Veterans Day with ‘Flags for Heroes and Families’
Nothing can justify terrorist attacks, pope says
Syracuse diocesan schools earn Middle States accreditation
December
The Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy: Mercy encountered, mercy extended
Alumni couple makes $6.5 million gift to Le Moyne
In memoriam
Jan. 14: Sister James Therese Downey, OSF, dedicated educator remembered
Jan. 24: Funeral Mass celebrates life of Syracuse ‘hospitaller’ Ann O’Connor
Feb. 26: Father Theodore Hesburgh, higher education leader, diplomat, dies at 97
March 5: Cardinal Edward M. Egan, retired archbishop of New York, dies at 82
July 26: Jerry Berrigan, longtime Catholic advocate for peace, dies at 95
Dec. 1: Father Linus DeSantis, OFM Conv., beloved friend, mentor, colleague and confidante
2015 in review
