‘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
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was standing-room-only during the April 25 Ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacon. Photos | Chuck Wainwright By Tami S. Scott Editor It was standing room only at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse. After...
Bringing the presence of Christ to others
Father John Manno accepts Road to Emmaus Ministry Award from Executive Director Sheila Austin. 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...
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...
New beginnings in Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia As April exploded into the exuberance of a long-awaited spring, many welcomed her arrival with great joy. Truly, the glory of Easter, buds bursting from their hiding places, ever brighter evenings, and the return of birds and butterflies are all...
Walking with couples and ‘filling the gaps’ in accompaniment
Updated diocesan marriage preparation framework is rolled out to parishes By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer Bishop Douglas J. Lucia’s third pastoral letter, “In You All Find Their Home,” published on Ash Wednesday of this year, introduced the updated “Framework for...
Bishop Lucia announces assignments for newly ordained deacons
Deacon Ronald M. Barnes has been assigned to St. Stephen’s Church, Phoenix, NY, and Holy Trinity, Fulton, NY. Deacon Kurt R. Behrenfeld has been assigned to St. Mary’s and St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Cortland, NY; St. Margaret’s Church, Homer, NY; St....
Pope Leo to new priests: Keep Church door open, don’t be an obstacle
By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News (OSV News) — Priests are called each day to leave the doors of the Church open to a “suffering humanity” in need and not “be an obstacle to those who wish to enter,” Pope Leo XIV told 10 deacons just...
Recital at St. Thomas More Chapel honors Fr. Gerry Waterman
Above: Father Gerry Waterman, OFM conv. Beloved priest completes his ministry at Syracuse University By Eileen Jevis Staff writer On Palm Sunday, Syracuse University sponsored a recital at the campus’s St. Thomas More Chapel for the dedication of the new Greg Harrold...
Basilica unveils new Easter mural
Above: The new mural, painted on canvas, depicts the same scenes as the original mural. Sun photo | Chuck Wainwright By Tami S. Scott Editor If you attended Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Palm Sunday or soon thereafter, you may have noticed...
Working for ‘God’s kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven’
100th World Mission Sunday to be celebrated later this year on October 18 By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer Retired priest Father Peter Major, MHM, now resides in Skaneateles, where he was born and raised. Many decades of his life in between were spent in faraway...
Gospel message brings freedom, hope, pope says at final Mass in Equatorial Guinea
By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News (OSV News) — On his last day in Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV reminded Catholics in the country to seek strength, justice and hope from the Gospel and the sacraments. “If you are oppressed by injustice, he is justice; if...
Good Friday Witness Walk in Endicott: 30 years strong
Above: Participants in the Witness Walk, held on Good Friday, April 3, started the walk in front of St. Ambrose Church in Endicott. Photos by Kathy Hamilton By Connie McKinney Contributing writer Joyce and Chris Carlsen never miss the Witness Walk held on the streets...
‘I’m ready to go’
Above: Cornelius Deep at his 2025 ordination to the transitional diaconate. Sun archives. Deacon Cornelius Deep prepares for ordination to the priesthood By Eileen Jevis Staff Writer One month before his ordination to the priesthood, Deacon Cornelius Deep sat down...
Peace on Earth
Less than a month after I was born in 1963, Pope John XXIII issued the encyclical, Pacem In Terris — Peace on Earth. Its focus was contained not only in its title, but also in the accompanying subtitle, “On Establishing Universal Peace in Truth, Justice, Charity, and...
Catholic Charities Diocese of Syracuse to host national community service storytelling initiative May 1
Above: The People of Hope Museum is an immersive, interactive experience. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Syracuse is joining Catholic Charities agencies across the United States to host “People of Hope: Faith-Filled Stories of Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” a...
Experiments in Catholicism: Converts Lighting the Way
By Emily E Long At the Easter Vigil on April 4, 2026, a record number of people in the Diocese of Syracuse were received into the Catholic Church. How amazing is that? Even better — this number isn’t an anomaly limited to Syracuse. All around the world, people are...
Broome County schools mark third year competing in OM World Finals competition
By Julie Kumpon Lamuraglia Principal, St. John the Evangelist Elementary School The Catholic Schools of Broome County have been active participants in Odyssey of the Mind for many years, with this year’s teams representing Seton Catholic Central, St. James School, and...
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...
