My Place in the Sun, July 11: A Short Trek
Certain topics appear annually on the Catholic Sun schedule. The topic for this week — Catholic Road Trips — is a theme that regularly appears on the July schedule. In past years, I have written about some destinations for summer road trips. These...
My Place in the Sun, June 27: Congratulations, Graduates
In this season for graduations, I extend words of congratulations and prayerful support to all graduates as they enter a new phase in their lives. Graduation ceremonies typically have a guest speaker. I recall hearing a national news report that offered clips from...
My Place in the Sun, June 20: Religious Jubilee Celebration
On Monday, June 17, I celebrated Mass at the annual Religious Jubilee at Immaculate Conception in Fayetteville. The Religious Jubilee celebration is always a joyous occasion for me. It gives me an opportunity to express my gratitude to women and men religious for...
My Place in the Sun, June 13: Monday Surprises
Pope Francis often mentions that we should be open to surprises — God’s surprises. “The Spirit is the gift of God, of God our Father, who always surprises us; the God of surprises…. He is a living God, a God who abides in us, a God who moves...
My Place in the Sun, June 6: A Joyous Day
Saturday, June 1, was a joyous day for our diocese. I ordained Nathan Brooks to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Please join me in praying for Father Brooks that he may be a faithful servant, tending God’s people with love and mercy....
My Place in the Sun, May 30: Grace is Everywhere
On Sunday, May 26, I celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on the occasion of my 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood and the 10th anniversary as the Bishop of Syracuse. I am profoundly grateful to those who planned the...
My Place in the Sun, May 23: Celebrating Our Priests
This week’s issue of the Catholic Sun acknowledges the priests of our diocese who are celebrating significant anniversaries. These priests, indeed all our priests, are a wonderful gift to our diocese. My first article in the Catholic Sun appeared in the...
My Place in the Sun, May 16: World Day of Prayer for Vocations
May and June are months associated often with ordinations and the celebration of priests’ anniversaries. As I started to write this week’s article for the Catholic Sun, I realized that tomorrow [May 12] is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations celebrated...
My Place in the Sun, May 9: Mother’s Day
Sometimes spring arrives later than we would like. This has been one of those years. The temperatures have remained cooler than normal and we have had plenty of April and early May showers. Finally, however, we are experiencing the signs of new life. Trees are...
My Place in the Sun, May 2: Diaconate Homily
Saturday, April 27, was a joyous and blessed day for me and for our diocese. I ordained Rev. Mr. Malachi Clark to the order of deacon at Saints John and Andrew Church in Binghamton. The homily I preached on that occasion is printed below. Please join me in prayer...
My Place in the Sun, April 25: HOPE Appeal
As I prepare to write this week’s article, it is Holy Thursday. We have begun the sacred Triduum, the final days of our journey toward the Lord’s Resurrection. On Easter Sunday and the eight days that follow it we will hear the beautiful Gospel accounts of...
Bishop Cunningham’s message to the people of the Diocese of Syracuse: ‘Please join me in prayer that this new effort will bring reconciliation, forgiveness, hope, and healing to all so deeply affected’
“Today I announce the establishment of an Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP) here in the Diocese of Syracuse. The IRCP is designed to offer reparation, promote reconciliation, and further healing to those individuals who have been sexually abused by members of our clergy.”
My Place in the Sun, April 18: An Easter message from Bishop Robert J. Cunningham
My dear Brothers and Sisters, “Peace be with you” (Jn 20:19)! There are numerous Gospel accounts of Jesus’ appearances following His resurrection. He appeared to Mary in the garden, the disciples on the road to Emmaus, Thomas, the disciples in the...
My Place in the Sun, April 11: Holy Week
We are approaching Holy Week, which for Christians is the most important week of the year. This most sacred of all weeks gives us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the Paschal Mystery, the great mystery of our faith. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, we will...
My Place in the Sun, April 4: IGNITE Conference
On Saturday, March 31, approximately 900 men from our diocese attended the 11th annual IGNITE Conference at the SRC Arena and Events Center. It was a fine day that nourished the hearts and minds of the dedicated, faith-filled men who participated. The homily I...
Footsteps of Faith: Pilgrimage to Italy
While a tour is a sightseeing opportunity, a pilgrimage is much more. They are journeys undertaken to visit sacred places and expressions of faith and religious devotion. “To go on a pilgrimage really means to step out of ourselves in order to encounter God where he has revealed himself, where his grace has shone with particular splendor and produced rich fruit of conversion and holiness among those who believe” (Benedict XVI, November 6, 2010).
My Place in the Sun, March 14: Rite of Election
On Sunday, March 10, I celebrated the Rite of Election at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. It was a joyous celebration for all of us and most especially for the 49 catechumens, including 9 children, who will receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the...
My Place in the Sun, March 7: Companions for the Journey
A long trip is often more pleasant if we travel with companions. At the beginning of our Lenten journey, I have been thinking about four companions that I would like to join me during our 40-day trek to Easter. Each has something important to teach me; each can help...
My Place in the Sun, February 28: Message for Lent
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6. The column this week is Bishop Cunningham’s Lenten message to all the faithful. Ash Wednesday March 6, 2019 “God’s love is everlasting!” (Ps 136) My Dear Friends in Christ, As I begin this...
My Place in the Sun, February 21: Black History Month
February marks Black History Month, a tribute to African-American men and women who have made significant contributions to America and the rest of the world in the fields of science, politics, law, sports, the arts, entertainment and many other fields. While Black...
My Place in the Sun, February 14: Marriage Jubilee
Sunday, February 10, was World Marriage Day. Married couples from throughout our diocese joined me at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for the celebration of their jubilees. Gathered at the Eucharist we gave thanks to Almighty God for their example of...
Bishop Cunningham’s letter to the people of the Diocese of Syracuse
Editor’s note: Bishop Robert J. Cunningham issued the following letter to the people of the Diocese of Syracuse Feb. 11: February 11, 2019 Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, During the past weeks, I have received numerous...
My Place in the Sun, February 7: Catholic Press Month
From the beginning days of our nation, the Church recognized the need to educate people in the Catholic faith and bring the news about the faith and the Church into the home. Bishop John England, an experienced editor who migrated from Ireland, initially used the...
My Place in the Sun, January 31: Catholic Schools Week
During Catholic Schools Week, I had the opportunity to attend a number of activities in our Catholic Schools. Among them was the celebration of Mass at Seton Catholic, Bishop Ludden, and Bishop Grimes. The homily that I delivered on those occasions is printed below....
My Place in the Sun, January 24: Why Do We March for Life?
As I sit at my desk on this cold, snowy Sunday to write this week’s article, the 46th annual March for Life is over. Most of the pilgrims who journeyed to our nation’s capital for the March have returned to their homes. They came from near and far...
Bishop Cunningham: ‘It is time for the state legislature to strengthen and pass the Child Victims Act’
Editor’s note: The following is a commentary on the Child Victims Act from Bishop Robert J. Cunningham. By Most Rev. Robert J. Cunningham | Bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse This past December, I made the decision to release a list of clergy credibly accused of...
My Place in the Sun, January 17: Retreat: A Time of Grace
As I write this article, I am returning from the retreat for the bishops of the United States held at Mundelein Seminary in Chicago. Upwards of 250 bishops were present at this retreat, which was given by Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, a well-known retreat...
My Place in the Sun, January 10: As the New Year Begins
A blessed New Year! I am getting a head start on my Catholic Sun article. Although it is January 1 and the next edition of the Sun is not published until January 10, I decided to prepare my article before I leave for retreat on January 2. My brother bishops and I will...
