Sep 5, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; worship the Lord with cries of gladness . . . . Enter the temple gates with praise, its courts with thanksgiving” (Ps 100:1, 4). Joy, praise, and thanksgiving – these are the sentiments that fill my heart as we prepare to...
Aug 23, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Know, live, and share the faith. Do these words sound familiar? I hope so. Beginning with the Year of Faith in 2013, we have used them to give direction and focus in our efforts to receive the gift of faith gratefully, live it joyfully, and share it enthusiastically...
Aug 10, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God” (Ps 84:2). This verse from the psalm at Mass on Thursday of this week is a fitting introduction to my Catholic Sun article. Last week I visited two beautiful cathedrals. Although God’s dwelling is not confined to...
Jul 26, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
It is Monday evening and I am beginning to think about my Catholic Sun column. Sometimes ideas and a topic come easily. Sometimes they do not. This evening ideas are not coming easily. Eventually, however, two topics came to mind. The past two Sundays and again next...
Jul 12, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Recently, we have welcomed some relief from the rain and enjoyed beautiful summer days. On one of those lovely days, I took a drive. I enjoy the opportunity to see the countryside, the fields and hills and lakes and towns that are part of our diocese. Before I knew...
Jun 28, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
During the past few weeks, the Catholic Sun has announced changes in the assignment of our priests. Some, due to advanced age, were asked to step down from parish administration. Others, having reached their 75th birthday and following the directives of Canon Law,...
Jun 14, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
On Father’s Day, June 18, we celebrate fatherhood, parental bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. I must admit that as I prepared to write this article I discovered I did not know much about the origin of this special day. This prompted me to do a little...
Jun 7, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Saturday, June 3, was a joyous day for our diocese. I ordained Matthew Lyons to the priesthood at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt. Please join me in praying for Father Lyons that he may be a faithful servant, tending God’s people with love and mercy. We pray also for our...
May 31, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
In a few days, we will turn a page on the calendar. I find myself thinking, “Where does the time go?” It really does not seem possible that June is just a few days away or, by the time you read this article, already here. As we move through the calendar year, the...
May 17, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
On Friday, May 5, I celebrated a Farewell Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Binghamton remembering the compassionate care the Daughters of Charity have provided at Lourdes Hospital. In its 92-year history, 365 Daughters have served at Lourdes. They truly have been...
May 10, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
When I turn my calendar to the month of May, I am reminded about the Marian traditions that are associated with May. In my family home and during my Catholic school years, May was Mary’s month. At home and school, we decorated May Altars in honor of our Blessed...
May 3, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
“Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). The World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be observed on Sunday, May 7. While appreciating all vocations, on this day of prayer the Church concentrates its attention on the ordained...
Apr 26, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
As I prepare to write this week’s article, we are nearing the end of the Easter Octave. For eight days, we have heard the beautiful Gospel accounts of the risen Jesus’ encounters with His companions. We have heard how their fear, sadness, confusion, disbelief, and...
Apr 19, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
On Saturday, April 15, I celebrated the Easter Vigil at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. This night is the most blessed of all nights “when Christ broke the prison bars of death and rose victorious from the underworld” (Exsultet). The homily I preached on...
Apr 12, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
An Easter message from Bishop Robert J. Cunningham Dear Friends in Christ, “Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her, ablaze with light from her eternal King, let all corners of the earth be glad, knowing an end to gloom and darkness” (The Exsultet). This...
Apr 6, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
The Prodigal Son is one of the most familiar Gospel parables. The younger of two sons collects his inheritance from his father and leaves home to make his way in the world. Perhaps the popular adage about “the grass being greener” beyond the confines of the familiar...
Mar 29, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun, Uncategorized
On Saturday March 25, more than 800 men from our diocese attended the ninth annual IGNITE Conference at the SRC Arena. It was a fine day that nourished the hearts and minds of the dedicated, faith-filled men who participated. The homily I preached on that occasion is...
Mar 22, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
For many of us the Stations of the Cross are synonymous with Lent, Holy Week and, especially Good Friday. The devotion is also known as the “Way of the Cross,” and the “Via Dolorosa.” The tradition for this devotion dates back to the ancient practice of making a...
Mar 16, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, Bishop Moynihan, My Place in the Sun
A few hours before writing this week’s article, we celebrated the funeral liturgy for Most Rev. James M. Moynihan. Since his death on March 6, our diocesan website, the Catholic Sun, and the secular media have provided us with much information about his life, his...
Mar 9, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
The first two Sundays of March are joyous occasions for those preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation. On Sunday, March 5, I celebrated the Rite of Election at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for 48 catechumens who are in the final stages of...
Mar 1, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
“The history of the Church has not been driven by theologians, or priests, or nuns, or bishops. Maybe in part, but the true heroes of the Church are the saints. This is those men and women who devoted their lives to making the Gospel a reality” (Pope Francis,...
Feb 22, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, “We adore, you O Christ, and we bless you. Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.” Lent is the Church’s holy spring. Even in the midst of the cold and snow there are signs that spring is on its way. Most...
Feb 15, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Sunday, February 12, was a joyous occasion! Married couples from throughout the 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...
Feb 8, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
On Sunday, Feb. 5, I celebrated a special Mass in Solidarity with Refugees and Exiles at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The prepared text of the homily I preached on that occasion is printed below. Let me begin with a warm welcome to those from other...
Feb 2, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
We are in the midst of Catholic Schools Week! Last Friday evening, as has been the custom for 11 years, the Light the Way Scholarship Dinner was held at the Oncenter. We honored Bishops Moynihan and Costello, Donna Skrocki, Patrick Kinne, and three educators who have...
Jan 25, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Thousands of people, including hundreds from our diocese, will travel to Washington, DC, to participate in the March for Life on Friday, January 27. The homily I plan to preach in the crypt at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is printed...
Jun 1, 2010 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, especially our much loved and esteemed Jubilarians: What a joy it is for me to be here this afternoon to celebrate the Eucharist with you! By your religious consecration, each of you responded in love to Jesus’ invitation to come...
May 25, 2010 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Dear brother priests and deacons, Dear brothers soon to be ordained to the sacred ministry, Dear wives of these chosen eight, dear families, Dear friends all in Jesus Christ: This morning, the Church of Syracuse gathers in joy-filled and grateful prayer as these...
May 19, 2010 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
It is a well known fact that we have entered the age of instant communication. Most people want to be “connected” to learn instantly what is taking place not only in their own backyard but also in the four corners of the world. Pope Benedict XVI has given a new...
May 12, 2010 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Saturday, May 15 will be an important day for the Diocese of Syracuse, as I ordain eight men to the permanent diaconate. These men have completed a seven-year formation program, including two years in the commissioned lay ministry program. Together with their wives,...
