Pope Leo praises ceasefire as ‘genuine hope,’ presses for dialogue, peace
By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV welcomed the newly announced ceasefire in the Middle East as “a sign of genuine hope” after what he described as “hours of extreme tension,” while urging a return to negotiations and...
It’s ticket time!
The Knights of Columbus Easter Raffle is underway in Camden The Twelve Eggs of Easter Raffle is underway once again, and the annual fundraiser is sponsored by The Knights of Columbus local council #16943. For just $5, every ticket provides 12 chances to win. Prize...
In memoriam: Father Gregory G. McPhee, Maryknoll missioner to Bolivia
Father Gregory G. McPhee died on February 24, 2026. Father McPhee was 55 years old and a Maryknoll priest for five years. Gregory Gerard McPhee was born on May 4, 1970, in Tallahassee, Fla., the eldest of four children of Gerard and Carol McPhee. His family moved to...
‘Trust in His strength’
Nearly 600 attendees from around the Diocese of Syracuse and beyond filled the gym at Bishop Ludden-Grimes Jr./Sr. High School. Sun photographs | Chuck Wainwright Ignite Conference once again empowers men of the Syracuse Diocese By Deacon Tom Cuskey Contributing...
DPC speakers focus on parish renewal, synodality
(Above) One of many slides shown during Fr. Seibt’s presentation. Sun photo | Tami S. Scott By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer The latest meeting of the Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) took place on the morning of March 7 in Yeazel Hall at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt....
Climbing towards Jesus with Mary
Experiments in Catholicism By Emily E Long Contributing writer On the Tuesday before Lent, as I was stuffing my face with chips and dip, an informal office Fat Tuesday tradition, I asked, “Is it weird that I’m a little excited for Lent?” My coworkers looked at me like...
The Holy Oils: Marking Ministers of our God
Editor’s note: The following is the homily that Bishop Lucia gave during the Chrism Mass on March 31 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse. “You yourselves shall be named priests of the Lord, ministers of our God shall you be called” (Is. 61:6a)....
A sacred start to Holy Week
Catholics around the world gathered in their parishes on March 29 for Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of the holiest week of the year. Below are moments from this morning’s Masses at Holy Family in Camillus and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Photo...
The Paschal hope of Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia A number of springs ago, I came to the Easter Vigil Mass with the joyous anticipation of Easter muted a bit. That year, my Dad was journeying through what I knew — but did not want to believe — were the final months of his earthly life. I came to...
Trust and surrender in a broken world
A knight’s perspective By Mike Langlois Contributing writer As Catholics, the practice of trusting and surrendering to Jesus, in accordance with His teachings and examples, is fundamental to aligning with God’s will. Implementing these principles can be difficult...Chrism Mass
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse was filled with the faithful on Tuesday, March 31, for the annual Chrism Mass and the Blessing of the Oils and Consecration of the Chrism. Sun photos | Chuck Wainwright...
A parish united in prayer: Vigil for the fallen away
Hundreds of votive candles are placed before the altar, each one representing a person being entrusted to Christ. Submitted photo By Father Jason Hage, pastor of Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, New Hartford & Utica For 48 hours this Lent, Mary, Mother of Our...
God’s name can never be used to justify ‘absurd’ pursuit of war, pope says
By Catholic News Service ROME (CNS) — Believing problems and differences can be resolved with war is absurd, Pope Leo XIV said, chastising those who use God’s name in their dark and deadly pursuits. “God cannot be enlisted by darkness,” he said in his homily...
Four men baptized, confirmed during Bishop’s visit to correctional facility
By Father Ilie Babota Chaplain at Mohawk Correctional Facility, Rome, NY The prison chapel was filled with prayer and joy on the day before Ash Wednesday as Bishop Douglas J. Lucia visited Mohawk Correctional Facility to celebrate Mass and administer the Sacraments of...
In France, record-breaking number of catechumens to be baptized at Easter
By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News (OSV News) — Over 20,000 catechumens in France are expected to be baptized during the Easter Vigil, marking a 20% increase compared to baptisms in 2025. According to an annual survey published by the French bishops’...
St. Patrick’s Day celebration twist: Catholic Irish actress brings pro-life message to Oscars stage
By OSV News DUBLIN (OSV News) — On March 17, as millions mark St. Patrick’s Day, a Catholic school in Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland is celebrating one of its most famous alumni. Oscar-winning actress Jessie Buckley, a former student of the Ursuline...
Jail Ministry of Onondaga County
(Above) Keith Cieplicki 50 years of service By Eileen Jevis Staff writer “The Lord hears the needy and does not despise His captive people.” Psalm 69:33 Jail Ministry of Onondaga County is a spiritually based social justice organization founded in 1976 in Syracuse....
Shrine is a place of prayer, pilgrimage and ‘encounter’ with St. John Paul II’s life, legacy
By Richard Szczepanowski Catholic Standard , OSV News WASHINGTON (OSV News) — St. John Paul II “changed the Church and the world, and you can encounter that here” at the national shrine in Washington named for the Polish pope, said Grattan Brown, the...
Life must be defended in a world wounded by warfare, pope says
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The sanctity of life, from conception to its natural end, must be defended, especially now, in a world marked by “the madness of war,” Pope Leo XIV said. When greeting Polish-speaking visitors...
