Celebrating Creation in all its glory’; local retreat focuses on the environment
By Katherine Rakowski Contributing writer Earth Day ignites joy for the beauty we have around us in God’s creation. But Earth Day also ignites fear that we are not doing enough to love and respect God’s Earth. And so, Earth Day, held April 22, is an opportunity for...
A ‘sign’ from God: Deaf ministry brings liturgy to life
The proclaimed Gospel is meant to be heard by everyone, but one does not necessarily need ears to hear the Word, at least not in the Diocese of Syracuse. Bishop Douglas J. Lucia again this year celebrated a special Palm Sunday vigil Mass for the Deaf community at...
Bishop Lucia announces additional priest assignments
April 29, 2023 6PM EDT Bishop Douglas J. Lucia has made the following pastoral appointments: Rev. James Cesta – Currently pastor of St. Mary of Mount Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church, New York appointed pastor of St. Anthony/St. Agnes Church, while remaining...
‘Prayer has moved mountains’
An interview with Syracuse native Ukrainian Catholic Archbishop Borys Gudziak Editor’s note: Staff writer Eileen Jevis interviewed Most Rev. Borys Gudziak, the Archbishop-Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, on his Syracuse roots, the...
Bishop announces priest retirements and assignments
April 22, 2023 6PM EDT Bishop Douglas J. Lucia has released the following initial pastoral assignments for 2023: The following pastors are retiring, effective July 1, 2023 – Rev. James Carey, currently pastor of the Church of the Nativity including: St. Leo Church,...
Who knew a soup kitchen could be a better classroom?
By Robert Stronach, OFS Contributing writer UTICA — “Be Happy.” Those words were emblazoned across the front of a woman’s shirt, along with an image of Snoopy. She was in the food line at Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen. “I love your shirt,” volunteer Abby Weiss...
The Seder Meal: Celebrating Passover in the Southern Tier
By Dc. Gary DiLallo Contributing writer & photographer A ritual Seder Supper on Tuesday of Holy Week was hosted by Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Endicott, Broome County, with over 150 people in attendance. The parish has been hosting this event since 1980 to...
Divine Mercy Sunday celebrates faith, fellowship in Central Square
By Dc. TomCuskey Editor Divine Mercy Sunday — the second Sunday of Easter — was recently celebrated in parishes throughout the world. In the Diocese of Syracuse, the only parish that bears that name marked the feast with special events celebrating the day and recent...
Get your ticket for Movie Night and help Jail Ministry keep hoppin’
By Tom Maguire Associate editor Moviegoers have their roles too — in this case, social justice. Jail Ministry is having its annual Movie Night fundraiser May 3 with its first Envelope Challenge. “What I love about this challenge is, you can give $1. You can give $7,...
Diocesan schools help to ‘Sock Out Cancer’!
By Dc Tom Cuskey Editor “Lord, especially on this Holy Thursday, as we call to mind that day when you washed the feet of your disciples, we ask you to continue to give us the strength to live on in your love. This is what ‘Sock Out Cancer’ is all about.” With those...
‘Church isn’t the building: It’s the people of God’ ~ John Roberto
Local faith educators contribute to new book By Eileen Jevis Staff writer Marge Babcock, former diocesan employee and parishioner at St. Augustine’s Parish in Baldwinsville, was a contributing writer in the recently published book, “Digital Ministry and Leadership in...
Bishop announces priest retirements and assignments
April 22, 2023 6PM EDT Bishop Douglas J. Lucia has released the following initial pastoral assignments for 2023: The following pastors are retiring, effective July 1, 2023 – Rev. James Carey, currently pastor of the Church of the Nativity including: St. Leo Church,...
Syracuse Catholic Diocese Health and Wellness Fair is next week
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse will hold its first-ever Health Fair on Thursday, April 27 from 12:00 to 4:30PM at Christ the King Retreat House. The event is open to diocesan and parish employees, parishioners, and Catholic Charities employees. Admission is...
Pantry benefit at Cicero parish
Sacred Heart Church in Cicero is hosting a wine and cheese event to benefit their parish food pantry ministry. Anna’s Pantry provides food for the needy in the Cicero area. Parishioners support the pantry through food and monetary donations, by their volunteer...
Divine Mercy feast marks use of updated sacramental Rite of Penance
Celebration of the Feast of Divine Mercy on the Second Sunday of Easter took on an additional significance this year as some subtle changes have been made to the order of the Sacrament of Penance. The changes took effect on the feast day. “This is an opportunity,”...
Endicott youth do their best ‘Last Supper’ pose
The youth group from St. Joseph’s in Endicott, accompanied by their pastor, Father Ken Kirkman, church-hopped after Holy Thursday Mass to watch with and travel beside Jesus on the night leading to his Passion. They ended the night with an ice cream social and...
Who knew a soup kitchen could be a better classroom?
By Robert Stronach, OFS UTICA — “Be Happy.” Those words were emblazoned across the front of a woman’s shirt, along with an image of Snoopy. She was in the food line at Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen. “I love your shirt,” volunteer Abby Weiss said while handing...
‘Go tell’: Bishop reminds Good Friday crowd of their spiritual duty
By Kathryne Rakowski Contributing writer Following Jesus on the Way of the Cross is a tradition for Catholics on Good Friday. Here in the Diocese of Syracuse, families, youth and adults of all ages have the opportunity to come together once a year for Good Friday...
The Seder Meal: Celebrating Passover in the Southern Tier
By Dc. Gary DiLallo Contributing writer & photographer A ritual Seder Supper on Tuesday of Holy Week was hosted by Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Endicott, Broome County, with over 150 people in attendance. The parish has been hosting this event since 1980 to...
Divine Mercy Sunday celebrates faith, fellowship in Central Square
By Dc. Tom Cuskey, Editor Divine Mercy Sunday — the second Sunday of Easter — was recently celebrated in parishes throughout the world. In the Diocese of Syracuse, the only parish that bears that name marked the feast with special events celebrating the day and recent...
IGNITE 2023: Lessons beyond carpentry
Cardinal Dolan says St. Joseph taught Jesus ‘work, work, work,’ but also the value of silence and the need to obey the Father By Tom Maguire Associate editor The Cardinal recollected, instructed and joked, but singing was out. “The last guy that spoke sang, didn’t...
CARING FOR GOD’S CREATION: Living Laudato Si’
Connecting our Lenten sacrifices to Jesus’ call to feed the hungry; this Earth Day, really listen to God’s message of creation By Geraldine Wagner Contributing writer “The earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor”...
The road to healing
Project Rachel offers comfort and grace to post-abortive women By Eileen Jevis Staff writer “O LORD, my God, I cried out to you for help and you healed me” (Psalm 30:3). Lucienne Henneberry was a volunteer at a pregnancy center and now is a team member for Project...
Catholic Charities brings needed services to Oneida and Madison counties
Editor’s note: During Catholic Charities’ centennial celebration this year, the Catholic Sun will be featuring each of the six areas that together make up the diocesan organization leading up to the official celebration this fall. By Fran Perritano Contributing writer...
Pro-life advocates conclude Lenten campaign, plan to carry on
By James Mostrom and Tom Maguire Syracuse 40 Days for Life marked the end of its 29th campaign of prayer, fasting, peaceful vigil and community outreach on Palm Sunday. It held a prayer service on the sidewalk outside Planned Parenthood on East Genesee Street. ...
Cardinal Dolan brings IGNITE conference attendees to their feet
He may have arrived a little late but he brought a message of faith that is very timely. His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, was the keynote speaker for the IGNITE 2023 Catholic Men’s Conference held March 25 at the SRC Arena at Onondaga...
Quick Questions About Lent with Sr. Katie Eiffe, CSJ
This week with Sr. Katie Eiffe, CSJ — Diocesan Director of Synodal Planning and Vicar for Religious What does the season of Lent mean to you? The word “Lent” is derived from an ancient English word meaning “Spring.” When I think of Spring, I...
Immaculate Conception School fourth graders reenact Passion of Christ
Fayetteville — The Immaculate Conception School fourth grade class of Janet Kirkgasser reenacted the Passion of Christ at IC Church in front of the school community and their parents. This primarily covers the final hours of Jesus’ life: the Last Supper with his...
Soup Kitchen Volunteer Honored as Woman of Distinction for Social Justice
(Pictured above: Nancy Robert at the YWCA event with her brother, Terrance Doolen, and sisters, Pat McCraith (left) and Phyllis Rood.) By Robert Stronach, OFS, contributing writer & photographer UTICA — Nancy Doolen Robert grew up in Utica, where she...
