Apr 20, 2010 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
On Monday, April 19th, I was privileged to celebrate Mass in our Cathedral to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the election of Pope Benedict XVI. At the same time, I wrote to the Holy Father and assured him of the prayers and best wishes of all in the Diocese of...
Apr 13, 2010 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Recent publicity in the secular press concerning abuse situations that have taken place in the past, often in places far-removed from the Diocese of Syracuse, has prompted confusion and hurt on the part of many people. With this publicity in mind, I would like to...
Apr 6, 2010 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Today’s column is the homily that Bishop Cunningham preached on Easter Sunday at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse. It is a personal joy for me to wish you, for the first time as your Bishop, the peace of Our Risen Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that...
Mar 30, 2010 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Let me begin by telling you how pleased I am to be with you this evening for the annual Chrism Mass, my first as your Bishop. It was a year ago today, March 30th, shortly after 11 a.m. that I received a call from the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Sambi, telling me of my...
Mar 2, 2010 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
The devastating earthquake in Haiti called our attention once more to the outstanding work of Catholic Relief Services — a work made possible in no small measure by the tremendous generosity of the Catholic faithful in the United States. Each year you respond most...
Mar 2, 2010 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
On Saturday, Feb. 27, a spirit-filled gathering was held at the OnCenter for approximately 1,000 men interested in deepening their relationship with the Lord. IGNITE 2010 was a memorable day. I share with you today my homily on St. Joseph — since March is his month in...
Feb 16, 2010 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
The following is the homily delivered by Bishop Cunningham at the closing Mass at Holy Trinity Church, Syracuse, NY on February 14, 2010. A careful reading of the New Testament shows us that there are two instances in the life of our Lord when He cried. One was over...
Feb 9, 2010 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord: The lengthening of days and the progression of the seasons brings us once more to the Holy Season of Lent, which this year begins on Feb. 17th. Our observance of Ash Wednesday commences the solemn period of 40 days during which...
Feb 2, 2010 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
In mid-January, the New York Times published the obituary of a prominent Dominican theologian, the Rev. Edward Schillebeeckx, who died in the Netherlands on Dec. 23. When I was a seminary student and in later years a student at the Catholic University of America,...
Jan 19, 2010 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
There are some lessons, learned from family, friends and school that we carry with us throughout the course of our lives. Defining moments that are integral to our country are among them. I do not remember what grade I was in when I learned about Dec. 7, 1941, a day...
Jan 12, 2010 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
One of the many gifts of being a bishop of a diocese is to learn about its history and about those who paved the way before us. Undoubtedly, there is a lengthy list of individuals in our own diocese that used their God-given gifts to serve those most in need. Some,...
Jan 6, 2010 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Most Reverend Robert J. Cunningham, D.D. The Christmas season is all too quickly drawing to a close. Christmas trees have been discarded at the curb. Fewer lights are decorating homes. Gifts given and exchanges made are not as common as they were just a few days...
Dec 15, 2009 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
BISHOP CUNNINGHAM’S 2009 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE Dear Friends in Christ, This Christmas season gives me the treasured opportunity of extending heartfelt good wishes to the clergy, religious and laity of the Diocese of Syracuse. I pray that this...
Dec 1, 2009 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
I am writing this article as darkness envelops the evening of the day which enterprising entrepreneurs call Cyber-Monday. Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone; Black Friday is behind us once more; the onslaught of shopping has begun in earnest. I had the...
Dec 1, 2009 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
The annual fall meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops was held in Baltimore, the first diocese in the United States, from November 16th through the 18th. In the days since the conference, a number of people have asked me about the meeting. Their...
Oct 19, 2009 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Thanksgiving 2009 draws near and with it our annual need to pause, to reflect and to thank God for His many gifts — and the signs of His goodness to us. As a youngster in grammar school, I was taught that we were blessed to live in this land of plenty. That blessing...
Oct 7, 2009 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
The possibility of picking up a newspaper or watching the evening news without an article appearing or mention being made of health care reform is minimal. A variety of bills and amendments are working their way through both Houses of Congress in the hopes that...
Sep 2, 2009 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Last week, I wrote about the Catholic schools in our diocese and the excellent educational programs, infused by Gospel values and the teachings of our Catholic faith, which they provide for the students who attend them. Many more Catholic children and young people,...
Sep 22, 2009 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
This past Sunday morning I was privileged to celebrate Mass in the St. Thomas More Chapel at the Albriandi Catholic Center at Syracuse University. It was parents’ weekend and the congregation was packed not only with our college students but with the supportive...
Aug 26, 2009 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
In quiet evening moments while reading on the porch, I have noticed that the shadows are lengthening and dusk is coming earlier. The realization that the days are shortening reminds me that the warm, wonderful days of summer vacation will soon be pleasant memories. In...
Sep 22, 2009 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
At St. John Vianney Seminary in East Aurora, the seminary which I attended in preparation for my ordination to the priesthood, there was a large, bright, multicolored mosaic depicting our Lord casting a net and calling Peter, Andrew and John to be fishers of men. This...
Apr 24, 2009 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Statement of the Most Rev. Robert J. Cunningham April 21, 2009 The first gift that our Lord gave to his disciples following His Resurrection was the gift of peace. As I greet each of you here and all in the Diocese of Syracuse for the first time, I pray that you will...
Mar 11, 2009 | Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
By Most Rev. James M. Moynihan My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, On Ash Wednesday, we inaugurate the Season of Lent, a period in which we prepare ourselves for a worthy participation in the re-enactment of the death of Jesus Christ during Holy Week, and His...
Jun 21, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Recently a pastor shared a story with me about the closing Mass for the students in the parish elementary school. He began the homily by asking the students if they prayed often at school. Their answer was a resounding “yes.” When asked for specifics they answered,...
May 24, 2017 | 2017 Archives, Bishop Cunningham, My Place in the Sun
Saturday, May 20, was a joyous and blessed day for me and for our Diocese. I ordained Rev. Mr. Matthew Rawson to the order of deacon at St. James Church in Syracuse. The homily I preached on that occasion is printed below. Please join me in prayer for Matthew as he...
Jan 18, 2017 | 2017 Archives, My Place in the Sun
Each year as we prepare for the annual March for Life in our nation’s capital, I am reminded that the march occurs just a few short weeks after the Solemnity of Christmas. On Christmas, and the days immediately following it, I often found myself (and I hope you did,...
Jan 11, 2017 | 2017 Archives, My Place in the Sun, My Place in the Sun, Sun January 12, 2017
Christmas trees are down and stored away until next year or waiting curbside to be picked up. Holiday decorations are packed away. Little remains visible of Christmas 2016. Stores have moved on from Christmas bargains and are prepared for the next holiday. Walking...
