2016: A look back

October

•  Divine Mercy Church was dedicated in Central Square.

•  Former major leaguer John Johnstone was named the new baseball coach at Bishop Ludden High School.

•  The annual Syracuse Catholic Women’s Conference was held in Syracuse. The theme was Mercy Is Love in Action.

•  The annual Mass for Life was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

•  The six Catholic Charities agencies within the Diocese of Syracuse are doing extraordinary work, the national leader of Catholic Charities, Sister Donna Markham, OP, Ph.D., said during a visit to Syracuse.

•  Bishop Robert J. Cunningham joined a prayerful, peaceful vigil outside Planned Parenthood in Syracuse as part of the 40 Days for Life United Tour.

•  More than two dozen people from around the diocese were commissioned as lay ministers by Bishop Robert J. Cunningham.

•  Nuns’ roles rise above philanthropy, said a visiting speaker, Dr. Sandra M. Schneiders, IHM, in a speech at Syracuse University.

•  At two talks at St. James Church in Cazenovia, movie actress Siobhan Fallon Hogan advised students to lead prayerful lives and to always give thanks for their blessings.

•  Local Jesuits reflected on the election of the order’s new superior general, Father Arturo Sosa Abascal.

•  Project Joseph, a property-maintenance arm of Catholic Charities of Onondaga County, fixed more than 2,000 monuments at St. Agnes Cemetery in Syracuse.

November

•  The diocese kicked off its Bible-literacy campaign with noted Catholic speaker Jeff Cavins.

•  Bishop Ludden High School boys varsity soccer coach Oscar Vergara was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America New York State Private/Parochial School Coach of the Year for the third time. In December, he was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America East Region Private/Parochial School Coach of the Year, covering New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

•  Bishop Robert J. Cunningham closed the Holy Door at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, marking the conclusion of the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

•  Timothy J. Mahar, of Baldwinsville, was hired as the first Executive Director of the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse.

•  St. Margaret’s School in Mattydale held a basketball tournament and debuted its newly refurbished gym floor.

December

•  105 volunteers who offer help at more than 80 parishes receive Immaculata Awards at a service led by Bishop Robert J. Cunningham.

•  Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Vestal celebrated its 75th anniversary.

•  The Pioneer Companies donated the former Cayuga Community College and Center for Instruction Technology and Innovation site in Fulton to Catholic Charities of Oswego County.

•  A joint initiative of four upstate diocesan Catholic Charities agencies that will coordinate services for high-needs children launched with a rollout in 37 counties.

•  Joseph G. Slavik, CEO and president of Catholic Charities of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, retired. His 42-year career with Catholic Charities included seven years in Syracuse; he also worked in Binghamton.