Archbishop Hebda prays for community’s peace, fortitude, consolation after school shooting
Above: Molly Stoesz, right, hugs Blanche Dennis before a prayer vigil Aug. 27, 2025, at the Academy of Holy Angels in Minneapolis following a shooting earlier in the day at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis. A shooter opened fire with a rifle through the windows of...
Letter to the People on Confirmation Plan Approval
August 27, 2025 Memorial of St. Monica, wife and mother Dear Diocesan Family, For over five years, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse has been pursuing means of making reparation for the pain and mistreatment experienced by the survivors of child and adult...
A pastoral bishop
ABOVE: Bishop Lucia celebrates the annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse on April 15, 2025. Also shown in the center is Father Joseph O’Connor, former pastor of the Baldwinsville pastoral care area. Bishop Lucia takes on new...
‘When you invite Jesus into your home, you’re never the same again’
ABOVE: Bishop Lucia presides over the June 27 Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Diocese is reconsecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus By Tami S. Scott, editor Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a 17th-century French Visitation nun and mystic, began to...
Escape to freedom
ABOVE: Members of the Myanmar community at St. Mary of Mount Carmel / Blessed Sacrament Parish in Utica salute the Rev. James Cesta as he celebrated his 50th anniversary of ordination in 2024. The group sang songs in their native language. Photo Credit | Fran...
‘Together in Hope’
ABOVE: From left, Hope Appeal staff members Jim O’Neill, Emily Long, Executive Director Beth Hoey, and Elyse Simon. Sun photo 2024 Impact Report illustrates a successful Hope Appeal campaign By Elizabeth Landry, staff writer In recent years, the Diocese of Syracuse...
Scouting out her faith
ABOVE: From left, Father Stephen Wirkes, pastor at St. Mary of the Assumption in Minoa, Amelia Broedel, and her parents, Lorie Broedel and Jeffrey Broedel. Sun photo Local Scout earns Parvuli Dei religious emblem By Elizabeth Landry, staff writer A special occasion...
Father Joseph O’Connor appointed Vice Rector of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Maryland
Bishop Douglas J. Lucia recently announced the appointment of Fr. Joseph O’Connor as Vice Rector of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., for a 5-year term. Having considered the matter carefully and despite the privation his absence will be to the...
How can we walk together?
ABOVE: Denise Utter (left) and Andrea Slaven, director of Child & Family Catechesis, discuss ideas with catechetical leaders at the workshop held at St. Paul’s in Rome early last month. Photo Credit | Jennifer Menneci Catechesis workshops help to strengthen...Letter to parishioners, decree: Church of St. Agnes, Afton
The links below include a letter to parishioners, written by Bishop Douglas J. Lucia, about the parish of St. Agnes, Afton, as well as the accompanying decree signed by Bishop Lucia and Vice Chancellor Rev. Christopher Seibt. St. Agnes – Letter from Bishop...Letter to parishioners, decree: Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, New Hartford
The links below include a letter to parishioners, written by Bishop Douglas J. Lucia, about the parish of Saint John, North Bay, as well as the accompanying decree signed by Bishop Lucia and Vice Chancellor Rev. Christopher Seibt. St. Thomas – Letter from Bishop...Letter to parishioners, decree: Church of St. John, North Bay
The links below include a letter to parishioners, written by Bishop Douglas J. Lucia, about the parish of Saint John, North Bay, as well as the accompanying decree signed by Bishop Lucia and Vice Chancellor Rev. Christopher Seibt. St. John – Letter from Bishop...
Excitement blooms at Holy Family School, Norwich
ABOVE: Pre-K3 and pre-K4 students plant seedlings and seeds. Thanks to the generous support of a grant from the Mother Cabrini Foundation, Holy Family School’s vibrant gardening and growing initiative is in full swing. Students from pre-K3 through fifth grade...
‘Please be a priest for us!’
ABOVE: Profession to the Order of Friars Preachers, Dominican Province of St. Joseph, August 15, 2019, with Msgr. Yennock and Rev. Christopher Seibt. Photo credit | Kerri Elinich By Fr. Christopher Seibt, vice chancellor, Syracuse Diocese Whenever a young man was...
Endicott’s Mercy House opens new wing
ABOVE: Pictured outside Mercy House at its grand opening is Linda Cerra, executive director, and Fr. Clarence Rumble, founder. By Dc. Tom Picciano, contributing writer A large crowd looked on as the new McDevitt wing of Mercy House of the Southern Tier was dedicated...
A letter from Bishop Douglas J. Lucia
June 5, 2025 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Over the last century and a half, the parishes of Saint Peter, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Paul have been tending to the pastoral needs of the people of Rome. In addition, the parish of Saint Joseph has been...
DECREE from the Diocese of Syracuse
DECREE ON THE EXTINCTIVE UNION – MERGER OF THЕ PARISHES OF SAINT PETER (ROME), SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST (ROME), SAINT JOSEPH (LEE CENTER), AND SAINT PAUL (ROME) Whereas the parish of Saint Peter was established in 1837 and its current church was dedicated in...
Diocesan ‘Called by Name’ vocation initiative to launch in early June
ABOVE: Father Jason Hage speaks with young people gathered at last year’s Vocations Picnic, held in August of 2024. By Elizabeth Landry, staff writer For the second time since 2022, the Diocese of Syracuse Office of Vocation Promotion is launching the “Called by Name”...
Two, four, six, eight — two cheerleading squads celebrate!
The Blessed Sacrament Cheerleaders Squad A coach reflects on their first season By Elizabeth Landry, Staff writer You may have seen the story from our recent March 13 issue about the 2024-25 Blessed Sacrament cheerleaders. But did you know that interest from the girls...
Faithful gather for holy hour ahead of papal conclave
Above: Bishop Lucia kneels before the Eucharist during Holy Hour for the Conclave on May 4 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. By Tami S. Scott, editor On the afternoon of May 4, Bishop Douglas J. Lucia presided over a Holy Hour for the Conclave, uniting...
Special Mass for Pope Francis held at Cathedral Easter Monday
Pope Francis, 88, dies on Easter Monday By Tami S. Scott, editor In the early morning hours of April 21, Easter Monday, the world learned of the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88. Though frail and ill for some time, the news came unexpectedly. Pope Francis made...
US cardinal announces pope’s death to the world
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, the “camerlengo” or chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, announced to the world that Pope Francis had died April 21 at the age of 88. Shortly before 10 a.m....
Broglio encourages young people to repent, reconcile and extend mercy at Eucharistic Congress
ABOVE:Bishop Douglas J. Lucia in procession for Friday morning Mass at the Eucharistic Congress, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis (Photo courtesy of Dc. Jim Tokos, Most Holy Rosary, Maine)
By Gretchen R. Crowe, OSV News
INDIANAPOLIS (OSV News) — At the Mass for youth at the National Eucharistic Congress July 19, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, spoke to young people about the importance of acknowledging sins and repenting for them.
“We recognize our failings and reach out for the reconciliation that is held out to us. Then we are able to bring what we have received serenely into our broken world,” he said on the third day of the congress, which had “Into Gethsemane” as the day’s theme. “It may seem a daunting mission, but every mission begins with our willingness to accept it and then drawing on the grace to move forward.”
National congress delves into the Eucharist as ‘the greatest love story ever told’
By OSV News, OSV News INDIANAPOLIS (OSV News) — Hundreds of priests, around 100 bishops and several cardinals concelebrated the morning Mass in Lucas Oil Stadium July 18 — a liturgy that kicked off the first full day of National Eucharistic Congress that...THE CATHOLIC SUN DIGITAL UPDATE FOR September 4 – September 17, 2025
The Catholic Sun Digital Update for September 4 – September 17 Preview edition Mass for Opening of Catholic Schools: Finding ‘the beauty of God in one another’ By Elizabeth LandryStaff writer Many Catholic school administrators and teachers from throughout the...THE CATHOLIC SUN DIGITAL UPDATE FOR August 21 – September 4, 2025
The Catholic Sun Digital Update for August 21 – September 4 Preview edition Above: Bishop Lucia speaks at the Hope Appeal gathering at Holy Family Church in Fairmount. ‘Rooted in faith, growing in hope’ First of seven hope and gratitude celebrations kicks off...THE CATHOLIC SUN DIGITAL UPDATE FOR August 7 – August 20, 2025
The Catholic Sun Digital Update for August 7 – August 20 Preview edition Above: Bishop Lucia and Father O’Brien at the reception following the installation Mass at Sacred Heart Parish in Rome on July 28. Photos courtesy of Sacred Heart Parish Sacred Heart...THE CATHOLIC SUN DIGITAL UPDATE FOR July 24 – July 30, 2025
The Catholic Sun Digital Update for July 24 – July 30 Preview edition Called by name — literally Father Joseph O’Connor starts new role in Maryland, effective Aug. 1 By Tami S. ScottEditor Wearing black clerical attire, a white collar, and an orange backpack...THE CATHOLIC SUN DIGITAL UPDATE FOR July 10 – July 23, 2025
The Catholic Sun Digital Update for July 10 – July 23 Preview edition ABOVE: Denise Utter (left) and Andrea Slaven, director of Child & Family Catechesis, discuss ideas with catechetical leaders at the workshop held at St. Paul’s in Rome early last month....
