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’
Lanigan Family Foundation gifts $500,000 endowment to Trinity Catholic School in Oswego By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer For the Lanigan siblings of Oswego, attending St. Paul’s Academy (now known as Trinity Catholic School) between 1943 and 1969 was incredibly...
‘Our God accompanies us’
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 and one Jewish — who didn’t force him to choose a faith. In his teenage years, he went...
‘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...
Letter from Bishop Lucia on the emergence from Chapter 11
Dear Diocesan Family, On June 19, 2020, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse began a journey of reparation, seeking to provide compensation for the pain and mistreatment experienced by survivors/victims of sexual abuse at the hands of those entrusted with their...
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Approves Final Decree for Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse to Emerge from Chapter 11
SYRACUSE, NY (February 25, 2026) – The Honorable Wendy Kinsella, Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of New York, has approved the Final Decree closing the Chapter 11 reorganization case for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse. This ruling marks...
Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation now accepting college scholarship applications
The Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation is now accepting applications for its college scholarship program that supports high school graduates pursuing an undergraduate degree in Catholic higher education. Rooted in the life and legacy of Sister Thea...
Pope Leo XIV says he considered a vocation with the Salesians as a boy
By Courtney Mares OSV News ROME (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV has revealed that he considered joining the Salesians as a boy before ultimately discerning a vocation with the Augustinian order, joking that the congregation of Don Bosco “came in second...
St. John’s in Camden holds annual bake sale
The entrance of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Camden was especially busy one recent weekend following regular Masses. Tables were abundant with homemade specialties made and donated by the parish’s good bakers. The Altar Rosary Society works hard each...
‘Finding the One’ is coming to Vestal
Registration is open for second workshop focused on reaching those who’ve left the Church By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer In March of last year, the diocesan Offices of Adult and Ministerial Formation hosted a successful workshop at Holy Cross in DeWitt called...
Holy Cross Academy wraps up CSW with joy, community, NFL’s Riley Dixon
Catholic Schools Week (January 25–31, 2026) at Holy Cross Academy (HCA) in Oneida was a day short due to weather challenges — but there was no shortage of excitement, fun, caring, and reverence. Catholic Schools Week coordinator and HCA parent Tara Dixon described how...
One faith. One voice. Connected.
February is Catholic Press Month By Tami S. Scott Editor We in the Diocese of Syracuse are spoiled … in all the best ways, I promise! Aside from being blessed with a devoted and joyful bishop and dedicated priests and religious throughout all seven counties, we are...
Lean on the Lord during Lent
Experiments in Catholicism By Emily E. Long Last summer, I had the opportunity to attend the Jubilee of Youth in Rome, a gathering of 1 million young Catholics to celebrate Mass with Pope Leo. The jubilee was an optional outing on our pilgrimage, and I wasn’t quite...
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,...
Finding her true self
Sr. Amy Williams, OSF, talks about her life of leadership Joys of religious life: Part 1 By Eileen Jevis Staff writer Sister Amy Williams, OSF, had a long professional career in the legal field and then as a hospice nurse. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Penn., she...
Sacramental marriage: ‘A window into the life and love of the Trinity’
Syracuse Diocese celebrates World Marriage Day Mass on Feb. 15 By Tami S. Scott, Editor Though William and Jean Noroski attended different high schools, God brought them together at the same school dance. Today, they celebrate 73 years of marriage. Daniel and...
Compassion in Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia Two days in early February, one beautiful and one tragic, forced me to think deeply on the meaning and nature of compassion. First, the beautiful. February 11, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, was also the 34th World Day of the Sick. For the...
Hold on to God’s Word
Lenten Reflections By Meg Castellini, director Spiritual Renewal Center Looks can be deceiving. The trees are bare, yet the calendar insists it’s almost spring. We’ve been through this season time and time again, yet there seems to be a new depth to the dormancy that...
A pastoral message from Bishop Lucia
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Recently, I read a new work of Bishop Erik Varden, a Trappist monk and Bishop-Prelate of the Territorial Prelature of Trondheim, Norway, entitled, Towards Dawn: Essays in Hopefulness (Elk Grove Village, IL: Word on Fire,...
Fr. Moses Arung arrives in U.S. to serve our diocese
Joys of the priesthood: Part III Profound spiritual experience sent him on the path to priesthood By Eileen Jevis Staff writer Fr. Moses Mailafia Arung, OP, arrived in the United States six months ago to serve the Diocese of Syracuse. He recently celebrated his 20th...
In a world of empty words, sacred Scripture offers nourishment, healing, pope says
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Ignorance of sacred Scriptures is ignorance of Jesus Christ, Pope Leo XIV said during his weekly general audience. “The ultimate purpose of reading and meditating on the Scriptures,” he said...
The better connected, the more transformed
By Deacon Robert Fangio Holy Family Church “REMAIN IN ME, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches.” (John 15:4-5) Many years ago,...
Sister reflects on nonprofit founded by late Franciscan friar for mothers, children in crisis
By Eileen Jevis Staff writer Pope Leo XIV declared 2026 the Franciscan Jubilee Year to mark the eighth centenary of the passing of St. Francis of Assisi. This Jubilee year has special meaning to Sr. Cheryl Wint, OSF, executive director of Mothers & Children in...
Diocese of Syracuse Catholic Schools Awarded $500,000 in Scholarships for 2026-2027 Academic Year
Syracuse, NY — The Diocese of Syracuse is pleased to announce that it has been awarded $500,000 in student scholarships for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year through the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, as administered by the BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund....
Pope warns little progress has been made to protect children worldwide
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The world continues to fall short of protecting and caring for its children, leaving them with few opportunities to succeed and at greater risk of suffering abuse, Pope Leo XIV said in a speech Feb. 5.
In his address to the steering committee of the project “From Crisis to Care: Catholic Action for Children,” Pope Leo praised the Catholic organizations for their work with children, and he shared concerns about the lack of progress globally.
Pursuing peace
Experiments in Catholicism By Emily E Long Contributing writer If you’ve turned on the news over the past few weeks, it’s not content that lowers your stress levels. Everything feels like it’s so much to deal with. I can’t help but mumble to myself, “Y’all need...
