Advent Reflection From Father Ken Kirkman: Week Four
Editor’s note: During Advent, Father Ken Kirkman has offered weekly reflections at thecatholicsun.com to help us all prepare our hearts and minds during this season of anticipation and hope. This is the fourth and final reflection in the series. Read the first...
Cardinal Law, whose legacy was marred by sex abuse scandal, dies
By Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Cardinal Bernard F. Law, who had been one of the United States’ most powerful and respected bishops until his legacy was blemished by the devastating sexual abuse of minors by priests in his Archdiocese of Boston, died...
Bishop Cunningham to celebrate National Migration Week Mass Jan. 7
Submitted by the Diocese of Syracuse: For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, which is an opportunity to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children and...
Giving Tree of St. Joseph’s Church Overflowing with Abundance of Generosity
Submitted by St. Joseph's Parish As part of its long-standing tradition of community outreach, St. Joseph’s Parish of Oswego’s annual Giving Tree initiative is underway. For decades, parishioners have selected from a holiday tree gift tags identifying children’s...
Oral arguments heard in suits on religious exemption to mandate
By Catholic News Service PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — The U.S. District Court in Philadelphia heard oral arguments Dec. 14 in a suit that aims to take away the exemption granted in October to the Little Sisters of the Poor and other religious employers allowing them to refuse...
For ‘Dreamers,’ U.S. is the only home they know
By Ruby Thomas and Jessica Able, Catholic News Service SPRINGFIELD, Ky. (CNS) — In response to Pope Francis’ call for Catholics to “Share the Journey” of their lives with one another under a two-year program introduced in September, the following stories relate the...
Vatican releases new instruction on authenticating, protecting relics
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Only relics that have been certified as authentic can be exposed for veneration by the faithful, said a new Vatican instruction. Published Dec. 16 in Italian by the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, the...
Called and gifted: Formation for Ministry program offers opportunities to grow in faith
By Katherine Long | Editor One of the greatest lessons Michael Thayne learned during his time in the diocesan Formation for Ministry program was that “we are all 100 percent called and gifted by God,” he said. “It’s not just me being called — it’s all of us.” Thayne...
Grimes gives: Students learn the meaning of service at Bishop Grimes
By Katherine Long, Editor Christmas is indeed the season of giving, but giving is always in season at Bishop Grimes. Students at the junior/senior high school in East Syracuse have undertaken a number of service projects recently, continuing work that’s long been a...
God-given sexual identity has inherent beauty, dignity, say faith leaders
By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — In an open letter Dec. 15, a group of 20 Catholic bishops and other religious leaders described as “deeply troubling” the movement today “to enforce the false idea — that a man can be or become a woman or vice versa.” “We...
As pope turns 81, kids entertain with song, dance and 13-foot pizza
By Junno Arocho Esteves | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Celebrating his 81st birthday, Pope Francis blew out the candles on a 13-foot long pizza after being serenaded with song and dance by children and employees from a Vatican pediatric clinic. A group...
Pope: Coldest hearts can be warmed by Christmas cheer
By Junno Arocho Esteves | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christmas joy expressed through music brings a message of peace and brotherhood for those most in need, Pope Francis said. Meeting with organizers and artists participating in a benefit Christmas...
Chaplain says 40 years with bowl-bound Badgers ‘a wonderful experience’
By Mary C. Uhler | Catholic News Service MADISON, Wis. (CNS) — When the Wisconsin Badgers’ football team travels to the Orange Bowl to play Miami Dec. 30, the players will take a 12-1 record with them — one of the best in team history. Accompanying them will be Msgr....
Lebanon’s religious oppose Trump’s Jerusalem move; Jordanians march
By Doreen Abi Raad | Catholic News Service BEIRUT (CNS) — Lebanon’s Christian and Muslim leaders denounced the “unjust” decision of U.S. President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and demanded that it be reversed. In a Dec. 14 statement at the...
‘Let tree stand,’ but don’t forget to prepare for Christ, cardinal says
By Ruby Thomas | Catholic News Service LOUISVILLE, Ky. (CNS) — Christmas should be regarded as a celebration of the redemption of God’s people, a Vatican official told a Catholic audience Dec. 9 in Louisville. Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for...
Chile’s women prisoners hope pope highlights realities of their lives
By Jane Chambers | Catholic News Service SANTIAGO, Chile (CNS) — For Estefania, an inmate at San Joaquin women’s prison, the hardest part of being jailed is not being able to live with her son. “Like most of the women here, I was caught trafficking drugs. It is easy...
Pope: Helping refugees means converting hearts hardened against them
By Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service ROME (CNS) — With so much suffering, poverty and exploitation in the world, missionary work must also include reaching out to people whose hearts are closed to receiving immigrants and refugees, Pope Francis told Jesuits in...
Delicate art of diplomacy needed to build peaceful future, pope says
By Junno Arocho Esteves | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Diplomats share a responsibility to educate future generations about the importance of dialogue and reconciliation in maintaining peace, Pope Francis said. In a speech Dec. 14 to seven new diplomats...
Oswego parish holds Intergenerational Advent Event
Submitted by Patricia Barnett On Dec. 3, the Embracing Families of St. Joseph and St. Stephen the King in Oswego celebrated their first Intergenerational Advent Event at St. Joseph’s Parish Center. The Faith Formation Office of the linked parishes has identified...
Diocese of Syracuse Deaf Ministry Interpreted Mass Schedule
The Immaculate Conception Church 400 Salt Springs Rd. Fayetteville, N.Y. 13066 12/24: 4 p.m. St. Peter’s-St. Mary’s 200 N. James St. Rome, N.Y. 13440 12/24: 10 a.m. 12/24: 5 p.m. St. Paul’s 16 Park Ave. Whitesboro, N.Y. 13492 12/24: 11 a.m. 12/24: 10 p.m. St. Thomas...
Ecumenical evening offers lessons and carols
Various cultures and traditions on display at St. Vincent de Paul Submitted by Carl M. Oropallo On Dec. 3, St. Vincent de Paul Church in Syracuse held its annual Multi-Cultural Celebration of Lessons and Carols, an Advent Evening of Prayer. The celebration draws upon...
Shrine rector sees Trinity Dome Mosaic as work of art, work of faith
By Mark Zimmermann | Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — In the years since its 1959 dedication, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception has had three main architectural focal points: on the exterior, its Great Dome and Knights Tower over...
Table talk: Author shares stories from his meals with St. John Paul II
By Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service ROME (CNS) — For some 25 years as pope, St. John Paul II would invite people to his table each day -- sharing breakfast, lunch, dinner and conversation with a wide variety of cardinals, bishops, theologians, writers and friends....
More than 100 honored for service to parishes at annual Immaculata Awards
By Katherine Long | Editor Unsung heroes from parishes across the diocese had a well-deserved moment in the spotlight Dec. 10 as the 2017 Immaculata Awards for Service were presented by Bishop Robert J. Cunningham during the celebration of Solemn Vespers at the...
Advent meditation: Joy during life’s struggles and sorrows
By Effie Caldarola | Catholic News Service Rejoice always! Those words from St. Paul in Thessalonians reverberate through the ages, through prayer and song. Again, I say rejoice. This Advent, we take time to pray with St. Paul, one of history’s most compelling...
Lessons from Luke: Longtime IC parishioner turns 100
Dozens of fans salute Mr. Pesane at his birthday party By Tom Maguire | Associate editor Manlius — Jim Pesane figured the scene jibed nicely with the majesty of his father. “He was like a pope having an audience with his congregation,” Jim said. “I mean people were...
God does not lead us into temptation, Satan does, pope says
By Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Italian and English translations of the “Our Father” can give believers the wrong impression that God can and does lead people into temptation, Pope Francis said. The Italian bishops’ television channel,...
Forming a ‘domestic church’ in the Year of the Family: Formation
“In my last pastoral letter, I also highlighted the importance of knowing, living, and sharing our Catholic faith. In order to do so we must be formed, not simply as individuals, but as families. First, as the domestic Church. Then, as the Body of Christ, the family...
Forming a ‘domestic church’ in the Year of the Family: Formation
“In my last pastoral letter, I also highlighted the importance of knowing, living, and sharing our Catholic faith. In order to do so we must be formed, not simply as individuals, but as families. First, as the domestic Church. Then, as the Body of Christ, the family...
Diocese of Syracuse Deaf Ministry Interpreted Mass Schedule: Advent and Christmas
Immaculate Conception Church 400 Salt Springs Rd. Fayetteville, N.Y. 13066 • 12/24: 4 p.m. St. Peter’s-St. Mary’s 200 N. James St. Rome, N.Y. 13440 • 12/24: 10 a.m. • 12/24: 5 p.m. St. Paul’s 16 Park Ave. Whitesboro, N.Y. 13492 • 12/24: 11 a.m. • 12/24: 10 p.m. St....
