Going the extra mile

Going the extra mile

Above: Cheryl Smith, front left, Faith Formation associate coordinator and youth minister at St. Mary’s in Clinton, and Anne Elacqua, junior-senior high school Faith Formation director at Mount Carmel / Blessed Sacrament Parish in Utica, guide the young adults in the...
Frisbee, faith, fellowship, and fun

Frisbee, faith, fellowship, and fun

Above: A large group of middle school and high school youth gather for a frisbee tournament in Manlius on June 19. The youth group from Holy Cross in DeWitt took home the trophy. Submitted by Steve Nepil Youth from around the diocese enjoy frisbee tournaments this...
Called by name — literally

Called by name — literally

Father Joseph O’Connor starts new role in Maryland, effective Aug. 1 By Tami S. Scott Editor Wearing black clerical attire, a white collar, and an orange backpack slung over both shoulders, Father Joseph O’Connor, during a recent meeting with The Catholic Sun, could...
Escape to freedom

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’

‘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

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...
How can we walk together?

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...
Excitement blooms at Holy Family School, Norwich

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!’

‘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

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...
Happy birthday to the diocese’s new centenarian!

Happy birthday to the diocese’s new centenarian!

ABOVE: In 1998, Father traveled to Rome and concelebrated Mass with Pope Saint John Paul II; pictured here during a private audience with the Pope after the Mass. (Photo courtesy of Bernie and Margaret Maher) Father P. Carl Pilla, the oldest priest in diocese, turns...
DPC speakers discuss evangelization, lead safety

DPC speakers discuss evangelization, lead safety

ABOVE: Deacon Craig Rheaume speaks at the May 31 DPC assembly about the dos and don’ts of evangelization. By Tami S. Scott, editor Deacon Craig Rheaume, of Immaculate Conception Church in Fayetteville, gave a presentation at the May 31 Diocesan Pastoral Council...
Honoring priest jubilarians

Honoring priest jubilarians

ABOVE: Bishop Lucia and Bishop Cunningham pose with newly ordained Fr. John Brusa, Fr. Joseph Ryan, Deacon Cornelius Deep, and our beloved priests celebrating significant milestones in their ministry this year. Sun photo | Chuck Wainwright Eleven priests were honored...
Tending the Church of God

Tending the Church of God

ABOVE: The newly ordained priests are offered a fraternal kiss of peace, and often an embrace, from diocesan and visiting priests. (Sun photos | Chuck Wainwright) Two new priests are welcomed into the Diocese of Syracuse By Elizabeth Landry, staff writer On the...
Priest Assignments — Summer 2025

Priest Assignments — Summer 2025

June 7, 2025 Reverend John F. Brusa III was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse on June 7, 2025.  Father Brusa is appointed as the Parochial Vicar of St. James Church, Johnson City, New York, effective July 1, 2025. Reverend James V. Buttner was previously...
A letter from Bishop Douglas J. Lucia

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...
Priest Assignments — Summer 2025

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...
The past, present and future of Ordinary Time

The past, present and future of Ordinary Time

By Lucia A. Silecchia “White smoke” was all that my friend’s text said. That was, of course, all that I needed to hear to know that the quiet afternoon I had planned in my office at Catholic University would no longer be so quiet. That text was followed by an...
A life entrusted to God and sisterhood

A life entrusted to God and sisterhood

Sister Eugene Marie Schneider turns 100 Above: Sister Eugene Marie (center) and Sister Emeline (right) smile at each other after everyone sings “Happy Birthday.” (Photo by Sister Norise Kaiser) By Elizabeth Landry, staff writer Meeting and learning about the Sisters...
‘Deep’ connections

‘Deep’ connections

Seminarian Cornelius Deep inspires teens to form ‘God Squad’ ABOVE: James Haykal (left) and Thomas D’Onofrio on the set of the Catholic Conversations podcast with Joelle Zarnowski. To watch the podcast, visit YouTube.com/syrdio. By Tami S. Scott, editor In 2023-24,...
On the path to priesthood

On the path to priesthood

Cornelius Deep described as a down-to-earth disciple of Jesus and a walking poster for vocations By Eileen Jevis, staff writer It is not often that priests, parents, family and friends use the same word in describing one’s blessings. But when talking about Cornelius...

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