Dec 12, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham
Advent is a beautiful time in the Church year but it is a short season. This year we have a meager 23 days to savor its blessings and already we are halfway through the season! In our diocese, the theme for Advent is “Awaiting the Good News.” When was the last time...
Dec 6, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham
Regular readers of The Catholic Sun and this column are well aware that the past months have been particularly difficult not only for the Church itself but for all who look to the Church as a loving Mother. For men and women of all ages and places, there has been a...
Nov 14, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
At this time of year, our thoughts turn to raking leaves, apple cider, cozy sweaters, football, and our national holiday, Thanksgiving. In this age of instant gratification, information at our fingertips through social media, and the fast pace of life in general, I...
Nov 7, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun, Uncategorized
National Vocation Awareness Week is an annual weeklong celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renewing our prayers and support for...
Oct 31, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun, Uncategorized
The annual Syracuse Catholic Women’s Conference was held at the Oncenter on Saturday, October 27. Since its inception nine years ago women from our diocese and surrounding dioceses have gathered to be enriched by the presentations of guest speakers, the availability...
Oct 24, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
When the calendar reaches November, I often think of the faithful departed — both the saints in eternal glory and those who are on their way to heaven but are still in need of purification and our prayers. November is a month of remembrance. On November 1, we recall...
Oct 17, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
On Tuesday, October 16, I celebrated the traditional Red Mass for judges, attorneys, law professors, law enforcement officers, and government officials at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. This annual celebration invokes God’s blessing and the guidance of...
Oct 10, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun, Uncategorized
We are living in a secularized culture that leaves little room for a relationship with Jesus. Membership in the Church is considered by many to be unimportant. Baptized Catholics are abandoning their faith at an alarming rate. Many parents are perplexed and saddened...
Oct 3, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
“You are My Messenger. In you I place my absolute trust.” These words were addressed to St. Juan Diego by the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe. In the mid-16th century, the indigenous peoples of Mexico were subjugated and the memory of human sacrifice was...
Sep 26, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Over the past several weeks, readers of this column and people I have met on pastoral visits have told me some of their friends have asked them: “With all that is happening in the Church, why do you remain a Catholic?” That is a question for all of us to contemplate...
Sep 19, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Often when I begin to write my Catholic Sun article I have a particular topic in mind. Such was not the case as I prepared to write this week’s column. My thoughts drifted from one topic to another. I decided therefore to offer a reflection that followed a stream of...
Sep 12, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Faith is an enduring journey. Over the Labor Day Weekend, I traveled to Buffalo to visit family and friends. Those few days provided the opportunity to reflect on my journey of faith. I visited the graves of my parents and grandparents who passed the treasure of their...
Sep 5, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Tempus fugit – time flies! A new school year is upon us! On August 30, Catholic school administrators, faculty, and staff gathered for Mass at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt to mark the beginning of the school year. This annual gathering gives me the opportunity to...
Apr 21, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham, Latest news, My Place in the Sun
Saturday, April 21, was a joyous and blessed day for me and for our Diocese. I ordained Rev. Mr. Nathan Brooks to the order of deacon at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. The prepared text of the homily I preached on that occasion is below. Please join me in...
Apr 18, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Have you noticed that your signature is no longer needed when your use your credit card? If not, know this change is coming soon. This past week, I learned that four major credit card companies would stop requiring signatures on purchases. The articles I read noted...
Apr 10, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun, Sun April 12, 2018
Although the cold weather, piercing winds and even snow are lingering longer than we would like, the calendar says it is spring! The advertising theme for this week’s Catholic Sun — home and lawn care — is fitting for the season of new life and growth. The topic...
Apr 5, 2018 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
It is the evening of Good Friday. I have just returned from Christ the King Retreat House where a number of people gathered with me to walk and pray the way of the cross. As is true of many Good Fridays, the day has been gray and cloudy. The evening is windy and cold....
Dec 20, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, “ . . . You will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” (Lk 2:12). During the Christmas season and the days that follow many of us will visit the manger in our parish church. Looking at the infant, we...
Dec 13, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Advent is passing quickly! This is often the case, but this year the four weeks of Advent are actually three weeks plus one day with the fourth Sunday of Advent coming on Christmas Eve. I always find the Scripture readings during this sacred time rich and beautiful....
Dec 6, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, a rainy and dreary day, I was driving home from Buffalo. I had spent Thanksgiving and the day after with family and friends in the Buffalo area. As I approached Batavia on the Thruway, I thought of the Trappist Abbey, Our Lady of...
Nov 29, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
“Overcome by darkness.” This phrase came to mind as I started to think about this week’s article for the Catholic Sun. I am sure you have noticed that December days are shorter and the hours of darkness are longer. Moreover, other forms of darkness permeate our...
Nov 15, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
The Cure of the Ten Lepers is the Gospel reading for Thanksgiving. I am sure you are familiar with the story. Ten lepers approach Jesus and ask for His mercy. Jesus directs them to go to the priest and on the way they are cured. Only one leper returns to thank Jesus....
Nov 9, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
The Church celebrates National Vocation Awareness Week November 5-11. This annual celebration is dedicated to the promotion of vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education. This year’s celebration gives me an opportunity to...
Nov 1, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
The annual Women’s Conference was held at the Oncenter on Saturday, October 28. Since its inception eight years ago women from our diocese and surrounding dioceses have gathered to be enriched by the presentations of guest speakers, the availability of the Sacrament...
Oct 25, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
On Monday, Oct. 23, I celebrated the traditional Red Mass for judges, attorneys, law professors, and government officials at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. This annual celebration invokes God’s blessing and the guidance of the Holy Spirit on those...
Oct 11, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
As I sit at my desk thinking about my Catholic Sun article, I admit that I am a bit distracted. Tomorrow twenty-seven of us set out on the Pilgrimage to Ireland. Packing is always a challenge for me. Inevitably, I pack too much and upon arrival discover I left...
Oct 4, 2017 | 2017, 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun, Sun Articles, Sun October 5
The Respect Life Program, sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, started in 1972 and begins anew each October. While the first Sunday of October is designated as Respect Life Sunday, the program extends throughout the year until the following...
Sep 27, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
On Thursday, September 21, the Feast of St. Matthew, I celebrated Mass at St. Matthew’s in East Syracuse on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the rebuilding of the church. The readings for the feast direct our attention not only to Matthew’s call but to ours as...
Sep 20, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
By Bishop Robert J. Cunningham As much as I enjoy writing my weekly column for the Catholic Sun there are times when it is difficult to get started. This is one of those times. When I think of celebrations and festivals, the theme for this week’s edition, the first...
Sep 13, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
A new school year is upon us! On August 31, school administrators, faculty and staff gathered for Mass at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt to mark the beginning of the school year. This annual gathering gives me the opportunity to comment on the particular character of a...
