DPC speakers focus on parish renewal, synodality
(Above) One of many slides shown during Fr. Seibt’s presentation. Sun photo | Tami S. Scott By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer The latest meeting of the Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) took place on the morning of March 7 in Yeazel Hall at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt....
Climbing towards Jesus with Mary
Experiments in Catholicism By Emily E Long Contributing writer On the Tuesday before Lent, as I was stuffing my face with chips and dip, an informal office Fat Tuesday tradition, I asked, “Is it weird that I’m a little excited for Lent?” My coworkers looked at me like...
A sacred start to Holy Week
Catholics around the world gathered in their parishes on March 29 for Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of the holiest week of the year. Below are moments from this morning’s Masses at Holy Family in Camillus and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Photo...
The Paschal hope of Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia A number of springs ago, I came to the Easter Vigil Mass with the joyous anticipation of Easter muted a bit. That year, my Dad was journeying through what I knew — but did not want to believe — were the final months of his earthly life. I came to...
Trust and surrender in a broken world
A knight’s perspective By Mike Langlois Contributing writer As Catholics, the practice of trusting and surrendering to Jesus, in accordance with His teachings and examples, is fundamental to aligning with God’s will. Implementing these principles can be difficult...Chrism Mass
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse was filled with the faithful on Tuesday, March 31, for the annual Chrism Mass and the Blessing of the Oils and Consecration of the Chrism. Sun photos | Chuck Wainwright...
A parish united in prayer: Vigil for the fallen away
Hundreds of votive candles are placed before the altar, each one representing a person being entrusted to Christ. Submitted photo By Father Jason Hage, pastor of Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, New Hartford & Utica For 48 hours this Lent, Mary, Mother of Our...
Four men baptized, confirmed during Bishop’s visit to correctional facility
By Father Ilie Babota Chaplain at Mohawk Correctional Facility, Rome, NY The prison chapel was filled with prayer and joy on the day before Ash Wednesday as Bishop Douglas J. Lucia visited Mohawk Correctional Facility to celebrate Mass and administer the Sacraments of...
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...
