Blessed are the merciful
Parishioners at St. Mary of the Assumption and the Church of St. Paul exceed expectations when challenged to give generously By Eileen Jevis Staff writer The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. ~Proverbs 22:9 Father Arthur...
It’s not the Prize Patrol … it’s the HOPE Appeal!
Fun social media videos celebrate over $1 million in parish sharing as part of 2025 Hope Appeal campaign By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer Since being featured in several of the Syracuse Diocese’s social media videos promoting the annual HOPE Appeal campaign that began...
A dedicated apostle of Christ
Fr. Zachary Miller receives KoC Clergy of the Year Award for New York State By Eileen Jevis Staff writer The award honors a Knights of Columbus chaplain who embodies priestly zeal and exemplary service as a teacher of the faith, an apostle of Christian family life, a...
Answering Love’s call: Religious jubilarians honored
By Tami S. Scott, editor Twenty-three men and women of various religious orders in the Syracuse Diocese are celebrating their jubilees this year. Bishop Douglas J. Lucia was the main celebrant at the May 12 Mass honoring these devoted individuals who continue to place...
An invitation to love
Editor’s note: The following is Bishop Lucia’s homily from the May 12 Religious Jubilarian Mass at Immaculate Conception Parish, Fayetteville. “In all wisdom and insight … [God] set forth in Him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in...
Experiments in Catholicism: OCD, St. Oscar Romero and Me
By Emily E Long For most of my life, I’ve been at war with my mind. My mind is a battlefield in which intrusive thoughts and my real self, the one who wants to enjoy her life, are adversaries. Every day, I would wake up to face the battle of Obsessive Compulsive...
In grandeur or simplicity
Above: A couple who wished to get married outside selected this sacred space at Spirit of Hope Parish in Syracuse. Photo submitted Getting married in a sacred space By Eileen Jevis Staff writer A Catholic wedding is a sacred sacrament through which a couple seeks the...
Our Lady of Good Counsel celebrates 85 years
By Connie McKinney Contributing writer Michael Swetitch grew up attending Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Endicott and remembers making his first holy Communion there. “It’s smaller and neighborly. It fosters a friendliness amongst the parishioners. They’re like...
The gift of a mother’s love
Above: A mother kisses her baby July 19, 2024, during the revival night of the National Eucharistic Congress at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. All mothers are honored in special ways on Mother’s Day, which is May 10 this year. (OSV News photo/Bob Roller) By Donald...
Meet the newly ordained permanent deacons
Deacon Ronald Barnes Assigned to St. Stephen’s Church, Phoenix, and Holy Trinity, Fulton About 10 years ago, Dc. Ron had the feeling that something was missing from his life. He was considering going back to school when a “wonderful lady from church” asked him if he...
Answering the call to serve
By Tami S. Scott Editor It was standing room only at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse. After seven years of intensive spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral preparation, 10 men were ceremoniously ordained April 25 to the permanent diaconate. Each...
In memoriam Sister Barbara Krick, CSJ
Sister Barbara Krick, formerly Sister Janet Emily, died peacefully at the Teresian House in Albany, New York, on April 26, 2026. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for 71 years. Born in Syracuse, she was the daughter of Leonard and Katherine Krick....
A living gospel
(Editor’s note: The following is Bishop Lucia’s homily from the Ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacon held April 25 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.) Dear candidates for ordination! Dear sisters and brothers in the Risen Lord! Shortly before...
Catholic Charities CEO Kerry Alys Robinson to give Le Moyne College’s 2026 Commencement Address
Five to receive honorary degrees for 2026 Commencement By Joe Della Posta Director of College and Presidential Communications, Le Moyne College Kerry Alys Robinson, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), will deliver the commencement address at Le Moyne...
The gift of God’s timing
By Mike Langlois While imprisoned during World War II, Dietrich Bonhoeffer — a German pastor and theologian executed for his part in the German resistance wrote, “God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the...
‘Be the answer to someone’s prayer’
Experiments in Catholicism By Emily E Long In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son, about a father and his two sons. One day, one of the sons decides that he is ready for his inheritance. His father gives it to him, and he sets out into the...
Answering the call to serve
By Tami S. Scott Editor It was standing room only at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse. After seven years of intensive spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral preparation, 10 men were ceremoniously ordained April 25 to the permanent diaconate. Each...
Bringing the presence of Christ to others
Fr. John Manno recognized for bringing hope and support to poorest neighborhoods By: Eileen Jevis Staff writer The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:29) is the story of Jesus walking with two disillusioned disciples the day after His resurrection. The scripture is about finding...
Shepherd Me, O God, Beyond …
(Editor’s note: The following is Bishop Lucia’s April 26 homily from Blue Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.) For a moment, I would like us to imagine a quiet hillside at dawn. The air is cool, the grass still wet with dew. A shepherd stands...
