Advent Reflection From Father Ken Kirkman: Week Three
Editor’s note: During Advent, Father Ken Kirkman will be offering weekly reflections at thecatholicsun.com to help us all prepare our hearts and minds during this season of anticipation and hope. This is the third reflection in the series. Read the first here and...
Christian vocation is to serve life, health, pope says in message
By Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church’s care for the sick, especially through Catholic-run hospitals, is an antidote to “the business mentality that is seeking worldwide to turn health care into a profit-making enterprise,”...
Washington Archdiocese considers next step in lawsuit over transit ad
By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Archdiocese of Washington was weighing its options after a federal judge denied a request for an emergency injunction over the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s advertising guidelines. U.S. District Judge...
Vatican renews call for peace, negotiated solution on Jerusalem
By Junno Arocho Esteves | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Following days of violence and backlash after U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Vatican appealed for "wisdom and prudence" to prevail. The...
‘Crowning jewel’ of national shrine — Trinity Dome Mosaic — dedicated
By Carol Zimmermann | Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — The overflowing congregation at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception hardly needed reminding to raise their "eyes to the heavens" during a dedication of the Trinity Dome Mosaic...
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...
Australian archbishop urges youth to be spiritual flamethrowers
By Peter Rosengren | Catholic News Service SYDNEY (CNS) — Young Catholics must set the world on fire with their faith, Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher told about 20,000 young people gathered in a former Olympic Stadium. “You must be spiritual flamethrowers. You must...
Mother of three Dreamers holds fast on Hill for passage of DREAM Act
By Kelly Sankowski0 | Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — Antonia Alvarez, the mother of three DACA recipients and one U.S. States citizen, began a 10-day fast Dec. 4 outside of the Capitol in Washington to advocate for the passage of the DREAM Act. The measure...
Group gathers for prayer vigil in effort to stop deportation of couple
By Mary McCusker | Catholic News Service CAMDEN, N.J. (CNS) — The blistering cold did not stop a group of 35 people from gathering in front of Sen. Cory Booker’s office in Camden Dec. 6 to stand in solidarity with a couple facing deportation. Camden Bishop Dennis J....
Dominican who was oldest religious sister on Long Island dies at 106
By Catholic News Service AMITYVILLE, N.Y. (CNS) — Dominican Sister Grace Regina Wingenfeld, the oldest Catholic religious sister on Long Island, died Dec. 2 at age 106. She was a Dominican sister of Amityville for 90 years. Although no formal databases are kept, she...
The Light will be On for You December 18
Submitted by the Diocese of Syracuse: Parishes across the seven-county Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse will participate in the annual Light is On for You campaign on Monday, December 18. Parishes generally offer extended hours for the Sacrament of Reconciliation...
March for Life announces location, tentative speakers
By Rhina Guidos | Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — March for Life organizers announced in a Dec. 6 briefing a tentative group of speakers, a theme and other details for a Jan. 18 conference and expo and Jan. 19 march and rally in Washington. "Love saves...
Catholic bishops, agencies criticize Trump decision on global compact
By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — The chairmen of the U.S. bishops' committees on international policy and on migration urged President Donald Trump Dec. 5 to reconsider his decision to withdraw the United States from the U.N. process to develop a global...
St. Nick visits Notre Dame Elementary
Submitted by our friends at Notre Dame: St. Nick visited the children of Notre Dame Elementary School on his feast day Dec. 6!
St. Joseph and St. Stephen in Oswego host intergenerational Christmas event
Submitted by our friends at St. Joseph and St. Stephen in Oswego: On December 3, the Embracing Families of St. Joseph and St. Stephen in Oswego celebrated their first Intergenerational Event at St. Joseph’s Parish Center. The Faith Formation Office of the linked...
Bishop lays out detailed policies for ‘morally acceptable’ tax reform
By Dennis Sadowski | Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — In a new letter to members of Congress, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, outlined a sweeping package of changes in pending tax reform legislation to ensure the final bill is “morally acceptable.”...
Prelates ask prayers for families, firefighters facing devastating blaze
By Catholic News Service LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez on Dec. 5 called for prayers for the well-being of families, firefighters and rescue workers “facing devastating fires and high winds” in Ventura and Los Angeles counties in Southern...
Lego kit brings mystery of the Mass into homes of families around world
By Kateri Schmidt | Catholic News Service ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) — Stephen and Jennifer Maas' family business, Domestic Church Supply Co., carries one product: a Lego kit that brings the mystery of the Mass into the living rooms of families around the world. "Father...
Update: Pope concerned by U.S. move to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital
By Junno Arocho Esteves | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump planned to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Pope Francis expressed his concern that such a move would further destabilize the Middle...
Advance Final Tax Reform Bill Only if it Meets Key Moral Concerns, Says USCCB Chairman
From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: As Congress prepares to reconcile the House of Representatives and Senate tax reform bills, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic...
Bundles of goodness at Binghamton parishes
BINGHAMTON — The Binghamton Parishes of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Patrick offered gifts for parishioners and also needy families at Thanksgiving. On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving volunteers bundled loaves of bread, candles, and prayer cards. A dozen volunteers...
Father Joseph Salerno to speak at Theology Uncorked! session
UTICA — Father Joseph Salerno, pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Lady of Lourdes churches, will be the guest speaker Dec. 12 at Theology Uncorked! at the Mohawk Valley Winery. Theology Uncorked! is defined as a “conversation for the believers, the curious and...
Musical performances set for early December at Le Moyne College
SYRACUSE — Le Moyne College student musical groups will perform in early December: Swing into the Holidays: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7. Join Joe Carello and members of the Le Moyne College Jazz Ensemble as they perform classic and contemporary big band selections and...
Obituary Brother James Fitzgibbons, SM
Marianist Brother James Fitzgibbons died Nov. 6, 2017, in San Antonio, Texas, at age 81. He had been a member of the Society of Mary (Marianists) for 61 years. A Syracuse native, Brother Jim was a well-traveled teacher who served for many years at St. John’s Home for...
‘A priest for all of us’
Hundreds mourn Msgr. McCloskey in Fayetteville By Tom Maguire | Associate editor The family always had good hands — holy and workmanlike too. A gifted pianist, Msgr. James A. McCloskey also pursued golf, basketball, and tennis. Above all pastimes, though, he loved...
Greene seminar attendees reflect on miracles
Prayer partners analyze the good works of Jesus Submitted by Mary Wentlent What brings 28 people together from seven different parishes? Why would these 28 people get paired up as prayer partners and find they have meaningful life situations in common? Could it be a...
Father Manno blesses restored statue of Holy Family
Years of loving touches from little (and big) hands, as well as fading due to normal wear and tear, had taken their toll on the once vibrant statue of the Holy Family that graced the main hallway at Holy Family School in Syracuse. Earlier this fall, Father John D....
Advent tidings of comfort and joy
By Barbara Hosbach | Catholic News Service I dread the shorter, colder days that coincide with Advent here in the Northeast. It’s hard to enjoy a sunset at 4:30 in the afternoon. Fortunately, while the days grow darker, our parish Advent wreath grows brighter with...
Court seems divided in cake case examining religious rights, expression
By Carol Zimmermann | Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court seemed equally divided in the long-anticipated oral arguments Dec. 5 about the baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple because of his religious beliefs. Even...
No dispensation for this year’s Christmas Mass on Monday
By Carol Zimmermann | Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — Although Christmas this year is the day after the fourth Sunday of Advent, Catholics looking to count a Sunday evening Mass Dec. 24 for both that Sunday obligation and Monday’s Christmas Mass obligation...
