Learning to see the homeless through ‘the eyes of Christ’
‘Ministering to the Homeless’ workshop to be held on April 18
By Elizabeth Landry
Staff writer
For 30 years, Deacon Jeff Dixe worked as an educator in the Central New York suburbs. While he certainly encountered students who were in challenging situations, it wasn’t until he began working for the Diocese of Syracuse in 2024 that he was confronted head-on with the reality of the homelessness crisis in the community.
Holy Week: ‘We are invited, in this spirit, to feel all that we can feel this week’
I find it hard to believe that Holy Week is almost upon us. Yet, if we feel Lent has passed us by way too fast, we still have time for prayer and reflection. I invite all of us to use next week as a time of retreat, where in the course of eight days, we can...
‘The Divine Surgeon will see you now’
A revised Sacrament of the Sick goes into effect this Easter By Deacon Tom Cuskey Contributing writer “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8). The author of the Letter to the Hebrews captured this foundational element of the glorious,...
Walk freely in the love of the Lord
Experiments in Catholicism By Emily E Long It was a cold fall morning when I made my First Reconciliation. Although we had been preparing for weeks in Religious Ed class, I was still nervous. When we were called to line up outside the confessional, I tepidly joined my...
A legacy of service, a heart of extraordinary kindness
(Above) An undated photo from circa 2006 when the newly built Holy Cross Church was dedicated. Monsignor J. Robert Yeazel passes away at the age of 84 By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer On paper, Monsignor J. Robert Yeazel’s various roles and contributions to the...
A Lenten journey of ‘Remaining’: It’s a marathon, not a sprint to the finish
By Maria Lore Contributing writer As the weeks pass into March and we (hopefully) begin to trade the frigid winter for the sunshine and pleasant weather of spring, many of us will spend a greater portion of our time outdoors. Perhaps some of us will visit parks, cycle...
Following the Lord’s Call
Joys of being a seminarian: Part III Carlos Gonzalez finds purpose and peace in Seminary By Eileen Jevis Staff writer “We must firmly assume this priestly identity, and realize that our vocation is not an appendix, a means to other ends, even pious ones, such as...
Thanks, Dad, for Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia Not long ago, I was sorting through some of my Dad’s old papers and came across a candy wrapper and a Father’s Day card tucked into an envelope bearing a March 2001 postmark from Rome. As soon as I saw it, it brought back happy memories of a...
Pope Leo XIV points to St. Joseph as an example of the importance of ‘being present
‘By Courtney Mares OSV News ROME (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV has highlighted how St. Joseph, who is never directly quoted in the Bible, is an example for Christians of the importance of “being present.” In a speech March 12, one week before the...
Pope Leo XIV urges leaders behind armed conflicts to make ‘serious examination of conscience’
By Courtney Mares OSV News ROME (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV March 13 asked if Christian leaders who bear responsibility for war have the courage to humbly examine their consciences and seek the sacrament of confession. He posed the question in a speech about the...
‘Don’t forget who you are’
Lenten retreat strengthens faith, inspires attendees By Connie McKinney Contributing writer Jeanne Higgins had a rough week but felt better after attending the Feb. 21 Lenten Women’s Retreat at St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament Church in Vestal. “To come here, I...
Setting a table for St. Joseph’s Day
By Scott Noto OSV News (OSV News) — On March 19 each year Catholics celebrate the solemnity of St. Joseph, protector of the family and patron of the universal Church and of workers. The importance of this day in Catholic tradition extends throughout the world,...
Saint Marianne Cope Shrine & Museum names interim director
Sister Cheryl Wint, OSF to oversee operations Sister Cheryl Wint, OSF, has been named interim executive director of the Saint Marianne Cope Shrine & Museum in Syracuse, effective Feb. 27. Sister Cheryl assumes the position following the announcement that Kristin...
Catholic Sisters Week recognizes the contributions of religious women
By Sister Katie Eiffe, CSJ Vicar for Religious, Diocese of Syracuse When you read this, we will be in the midst of National Catholic Sisters Week, sponsored by Communicators for Women Religious, a collaboration of those who serve religious communities as...
Do you really believe God loves you?
By Sister Constance Veit, lsp If you’re like me, you were impressed by the athletes of the Milan-Cortina Olympics. In them, we witnessed both the rewards of hard work and the traumatizing effects of extreme expectation. It’s hard to believe that most of these athletes...
The baggage of Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia Anyone who has ever had the misfortune to drive me to an airport, meet me at a train station, or share the trunk of a car with me on a road trip can tell you one thing: I do not travel lightly. Whether a journey is two days, two weeks, or two...
Young and … Catholic?
Experiments in Catholicism By Emily E. Long Contributing writer Last week at Dinosaur Barbeque in Syracuse, 100 people gathered to hear Bishop Lucia deliver a talk about prayer. As you read that sentence, who were you picturing as the audience? Priests and...
For the first time, HOPE Appeal exceeds $5 million
By Beth Hoey Executive director, Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse It is a humbling number — $5 million. For the first time since it began in 1978, the HOPE Appeal has surpassed $5 million in donations. This milestone is a powerful testament to the...
How can we work for the common good of all humankind in our daily lives?
On Dec. 7, 1965, at the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, St. Pope Paul VI promulgated the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et spes). In this moment of grave tension in our world, it is appropriate for us to return to this...
