In France, record-breaking number of catechumens to be baptized at Easter
By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News (OSV News) — Over 20,000 catechumens in France are expected to be baptized during the Easter Vigil, marking a 20% increase compared to baptisms in 2025. According to an annual survey published by the French bishops’...
Jail Ministry of Onondaga County
(Above) Keith Cieplicki 50 years of service By Eileen Jevis Staff writer “The Lord hears the needy and does not despise His captive people.” Psalm 69:33 Jail Ministry of Onondaga County is a spiritually based social justice organization founded in 1976 in Syracuse....
‘Do not fear; I will help you’ (Isaiah 41:13)
Broome County Catholic Charities opens Common Grounds Wellness Center By Eileen Jevis Staff writer “Catholic Charities is a national organization whose mission is to serve the poor, hungry, homeless, elderly, and those with disabilities. The organization advocates for...
In memoriam: Sister Mary Daniel Golembiewski, OSF
Sister Mary Daniel Golembiewski, OSF, 88, went home to God at the Franciscan Villa in Syracuse on March 10, 2026. She was born to Stanislaus and Apolonia (Celmerowska) Golembiewski in Albany. She had been a religious sister for 75 Years. In 1950, she entered the...
A story of love and perseverance: St. Francis Ministry and Save Kenya Kids
Submitted story St. Francis Ministry held a Ladies Valentine Tea and Luncheon at the Concordia Restaurant in Endicott on February 15. Proceeds from the event benefitted the St. Clarence Educational Center in Kenya. Sister Anisia Muthoni, of St. Anthony’s Parish,...
In memoriam: Sister Frances Marie Kowalski, OSF
Sister Frances Marie Kowalski, OSF (Sister Thomas Joseph), 79, went home to God on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026 at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. She was born in Syracuse and had been a Sister of St. Francis for 60 years. Sister was predeceased by her parents,...
Learning to see the homeless through ‘the eyes of Christ’
‘Ministering to the Homeless’ workshop to be held on April 18
By Elizabeth Landry
Staff writer
For 30 years, Deacon Jeff Dixe worked as an educator in the Central New York suburbs. While he certainly encountered students who were in challenging situations, it wasn’t until he began working for the Diocese of Syracuse in 2024 that he was confronted head-on with the reality of the homelessness crisis in the community.
‘The Divine Surgeon will see you now’
A revised Sacrament of the Sick goes into effect this Easter By Deacon Tom Cuskey Contributing writer “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8). The author of the Letter to the Hebrews captured this foundational element of the glorious,...
Walk freely in the love of the Lord
Experiments in Catholicism By Emily E Long It was a cold fall morning when I made my First Reconciliation. Although we had been preparing for weeks in Religious Ed class, I was still nervous. When we were called to line up outside the confessional, I tepidly joined my...
A legacy of service, a heart of extraordinary kindness
(Above) An undated photo from circa 2006 when the newly built Holy Cross Church was dedicated. Monsignor J. Robert Yeazel passes away at the age of 84 By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer On paper, Monsignor J. Robert Yeazel’s various roles and contributions to the...
A Lenten journey of ‘Remaining’: It’s a marathon, not a sprint to the finish
By Maria Lore Contributing writer As the weeks pass into March and we (hopefully) begin to trade the frigid winter for the sunshine and pleasant weather of spring, many of us will spend a greater portion of our time outdoors. Perhaps some of us will visit parks, cycle...
Following the Lord’s Call
Seminarian Carlos Gonzalez (in MIB jersey) joins students from Bishop Ludden-Grimes at the annual Men in Black Basketball Tournament held in December. Joys of being a seminarian: Part III Carlos Gonzalez finds purpose and peace in Seminary By Eileen Jevis Staff writer...
Thanks, Dad, for Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia Not long ago, I was sorting through some of my Dad’s old papers and came across a candy wrapper and a Father’s Day card tucked into an envelope bearing a March 2001 postmark from Rome. As soon as I saw it, it brought back happy memories of a...
Pope Leo XIV urges leaders behind armed conflicts to make ‘serious examination of conscience’
By Courtney Mares OSV News ROME (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV March 13 asked if Christian leaders who bear responsibility for war have the courage to humbly examine their consciences and seek the sacrament of confession. He posed the question in a speech about the...
‘Don’t forget who you are’
Lenten retreat strengthens faith, inspires attendees By Connie McKinney Contributing writer Jeanne Higgins had a rough week but felt better after attending the Feb. 21 Lenten Women’s Retreat at St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament Church in Vestal. “To come here, I...
Setting a table for St. Joseph’s Day
By Scott Noto OSV News (OSV News) — On March 19 each year Catholics celebrate the solemnity of St. Joseph, protector of the family and patron of the universal Church and of workers. The importance of this day in Catholic tradition extends throughout the world,...
Saint Marianne Cope Shrine & Museum names interim director
Sister Cheryl Wint, OSF to oversee operations Sister Cheryl Wint, OSF, has been named interim executive director of the Saint Marianne Cope Shrine & Museum in Syracuse, effective Feb. 27. Sister Cheryl assumes the position following the announcement that Kristin...
Catholic Sisters Week recognizes the contributions of religious women
By Sister Katie Eiffe, CSJ Vicar for Religious, Diocese of Syracuse When you read this, we will be in the midst of National Catholic Sisters Week, sponsored by Communicators for Women Religious, a collaboration of those who serve religious communities as...
Two by two: Genesis Mission at work
Pictured from left to right: Renée Romance, Allison Bracht, Mary Thayer (on the laptop), Tara Nolan, Elizabeth Garn, and Christine Loadwick. By Renée Romance, Contributing writer “Jesus traveled through the villages teaching. Calling the Twelve together, he began to...
Do you really believe God loves you?
By Sister Constance Veit, lsp If you’re like me, you were impressed by the athletes of the Milan-Cortina Olympics. In them, we witnessed both the rewards of hard work and the traumatizing effects of extreme expectation. It’s hard to believe that most of these athletes...
The baggage of Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia Anyone who has ever had the misfortune to drive me to an airport, meet me at a train station, or share the trunk of a car with me on a road trip can tell you one thing: I do not travel lightly. Whether a journey is two days, two weeks, or two...
Young and … Catholic?
Experiments in Catholicism By Emily E. Long Contributing writer Last week at Dinosaur Barbeque in Syracuse, 100 people gathered to hear Bishop Lucia deliver a talk about prayer. As you read that sentence, who were you picturing as the audience? Priests and...
For the first time, HOPE Appeal exceeds $5 million
By Beth Hoey Executive director, Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse It is a humbling number — $5 million. For the first time since it began in 1978, the HOPE Appeal has surpassed $5 million in donations. This milestone is a powerful testament to the...
Giving back to the school that gave them ‘the world’
Above: From left to right, Donald Mills, deputy superintendent for the Diocese of Syracuse Catholic Schools office, Karen Reynolds, president of Trinity Catholic School Board, Frances Lanigan, Mary Sagneri (née Lanigan), Charlie Lanigan, and Trinity Catholic School...
‘Our God accompanies us’
Above: A catechumen signs his name in the Book of the Elect. Sun photo | Chuck Wainwright 135 Catechumens take the next step at Rite of Election By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer When Shane Hawks-Andrews was growing up, he was raised by his grandparents — one Christian...
‘Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged.’
By Cathy Mackey St. Mary’s Academy principal Life can be so hard sometimes, can’t it? At times, we can be shaken to the core by what we see in the media, what we experience in our personal lives, and by the injustices, big and small, that occur daily. It can get...
‘The right thing to do’
Joys of Religious Life: Part II Deacon Bernie Feldman finds new purpose in second vocation By Eileen Jevis Staff writer Deacon Bernie Feldman said his faith has been the foundation of his life since childhood. His love of God and Church prompted him to become a...
Msgr. Charles Brady: ‘An irresistible force in the struggle for civil rights’
Remembering the legacy of Father Brady during Black History Month By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer By many accounts, the late Monsignor Charles J. Brady was an amazing man of many qualities: a leader, a stalwart for justice, a tireless servant, but also an unassuming,...
Pope Leo’s visit to Spain could spark a much-needed ‘spiritual revival’
By Junno Arocho Esteves and Paulina Guzik OSV News (OSV News) — With the Vatican confirming Pope Leo XIV’s trip to Spain in June, plans for the upcoming visit are full steam ahead, the organizer of the visit said. Speaking to OSV News Feb. 25, Yago de La...
