Hoops and hope: A vibrant night for vocations
Men in Black edge out Bishop Ludden-Grimes with three-point win By Tami S. Scott Editor On the cusp of a blustery winter night in Syracuse, the Men in Black faced off against Bishop Ludden-Grimes student-athletes Dec. 29 in a fast-paced, high-energy game played in the...
The privilege of being a priest
Above: Father Chris Ballard (as celebrant and godfather) and godmother Judeanne Rockford pictured with Spirit of Hope Youth Minister Mark Ranieri and his wife Nina at the baptism of their baby, Joseph Peter Ranieri, in 2025. Father Chris Ballard is grateful for a...
Bishop Lucia welcomes appointment of new bishop of Rochester
I join Catholics throughout the Diocese of Syracuse in welcoming to our neighboring Diocese of Rochester, Bishop John S. Bonnici, until now Auxiliary Bishop of New York. Along with Bishop Robert J. Cunningham, our Bishop-emeritus, and the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Syracuse, I assure him of our best wishes and prayers in his new role.
As jubilee year ends, the faithful heed Pope Leo’s call to keep the church alive
VATICAN CITY (OSV News) — After a jubilee year not seen for centuries — with one pope opening the Holy Door and another closing it — Pope Leo XIV ended the Jubilee Year of Hope at St. Peter’s Basilica Jan. 6 telling the world to love and seek peace, protect what is holy, and flee from modern efficiency.
But what really stayed with the faithful — not only the lucky hundreds inside the basilica but also the thousands soaked in the pouring winter rain in St. Peter’s Square — was Pope Leo’s urging to keep the church alive.
A call for peace
By Michael R. Heinlein OSV News Pope Leo XIV’s new message for the Jan. 1 World Day of Peace, released Dec. 18, offers a great deal of food for thought. Building on the theme of peace that has been a main message of his pontificate since his first public words,...
Mercy House of the Southern Tier featured on EWTN’s Living Divine Mercy program
Mercy House of the Southern Tier has been selected to be featured in an upcoming episode of Living Divine Mercy, a nationally televised program produced by The Marian Group and broadcast on EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) – Spectrum Channel 49. The...
A witness to Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia As the familiar strains of Christmas hymns fill the air these days, it occurs to me that, in the canon of our most popular Christmas songs, St. Joseph is inexplicably missing. As these songs describe the earliest witnesses to the Nativity, we...
New archbishop ‘committed’ to immigration issues, accountability on abuse — and staying a Cubs fan
By Simone Orendain OSV News (OSV News) — The newly named leader of the Archdiocese of New York, Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks, introduced himself to the faithful of his new home Dec. 18 with a pledge to become familiar with its challenges and uphold human dignity....
Sisters of St. Francis elect new leadership team
Second election held this year
The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities (SOSF), headquartered in Syracuse, announced the election of a new leadership team:
Sister Ann Bremmer was elected general minister. She most recently served as the pastoral associate at Holy Spirit Parish in Lawrence County, Penn.
Sister Ann Kenyon was elected assistant general minister. Before joining leadership, she served on the spiritual care team and Franciscan education at Francis House, a home for the terminally ill and an SOSF-sponsored ministry in Syracuse.
New year, stronger marriage
Relationships aren’t always smooth sailing, especially in marriage. Couples must navigate difficult times and face challenges that sometimes feel so daunting they either consider divorce or accept an unhealthy partnership as their only choices.
But those don’t have to be their only two options.
More work to be done
For 57 years, Sister Laura Bufano, CSJ, has served God as a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet. If you ask her friends, she said, they will tell you that she is compassionate, creative, and fun to be with. Relationships are very important to her. She is a faithful friend and an attentive listener.
“Everything speaks to me of God’s presence,” said Sr. Laura, who will return to St. Louis as a member of the leadership team for Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in early January.
Connecting with and for Christ
For the fourth consecutive year, Sacred Heart Parish in Cicero hosted the Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference, also known as DCYC. Growing in popularity, more than 500 middle and high school kids from across the diocese attended the Nov. 22 day-long event.
“[The conference] has grown each year,” said Bob Walters, director of Adolescent Catechesis and Discipleship. “Catholic youth don’t get to connect with others from across the diocese, let alone parishes, so it’s a real opportunity,” for the teens to discover and experience a much larger church and the important fact that they’re not alone.
Blessed Sacrament continues annual pie-making tradition
On Monday, Nov. 24, Blessed Sacrament School in Syracuse continued its long-standing annual tradition (26 years!) of making pumpkin pies to donate to the Rescue Mission for Thanksgiving meals. With over 200 pies donated this year, Blessed Sacrament is the number one outsource of pies received by the Rescue Mission for the Thanksgiving holiday. Students in pre-K through sixth grade participated in pie making in the school’s cafeteria, with fifth-grade students helping …
Catholic Conversations explores cultural traditions leading up to Christmas
This Advent, Catholic Conversations is exploring the rich tapestry of faith traditions found within our diocesan family. Each week, it welcomes guests from different cultural backgrounds to share how their communities prepare for and celebrate the coming of Christ. From cherished family costumes to unique spiritual practices, these conversations highlight the beauty of the universal Church expressed in many cultures, stories, and traditions.
St. Lucy’s Church continues Christmas tradition
By Eileen Jevis
Staff writer
For more than 20 years, St. Lucy’s Church on the near westside of Syracuse has provided families in need with gifts and essential items at Christmas time. Each year, over 300 families, representing more than 2,000 individuals, are invited to the Christmas Giveaway. The families invited are those who utilize the CNY Food Bank and live within a 30-block radius of the parish. Each family is invited to shop for Christmas gifts at the giveaway based on the number of people in their household.
In memoriam: Deacon George C. Phillips Jr.
Deacon George C. Phillips Jr. passed away on November 5, 2025. He was born on May 20, 1937, in Hornell, New York, where he met Mary Lou, his future wife and high school sweetheart, in the third grade.
George graduated from Hornell High School in 1955 and worked on the Erie Railroad before earning a Master’s Degree in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University. He moved his young family to Endicott to work at IBM in 1964, where he would remain for 29 years.
Catholic Charities of Oneida/Madison County names new executive director
Catholic Charities Oneida/Madison County recently announced the appointment of Victoria Paolozzi as its next executive director, succeeding longtime leader Jack Callaghan, who will retire at the end of December. This transition follows the agency’s milestone celebration of 100 years of service to the community.
Throughout his career, Jack has embodied the Catholic Charities’ mission, guiding the organization with quiet strength and an enduring belief in the dignity of every person.
Sweet dreams, Child
On Nov. 22, 9-year-old Laurael and her 10-year-old brother Armond received an early Christmas present. Their mom, Curtrice, told them that something special was being delivered to their home that day. With anticipation, the children waited — they had no idea what to expect. Early that Saturday morning, a truck pulled up, and volunteers from Sleep in Heavenly Peace unloaded gifts that were previously unobtainable — beds.
Associate catechesis director draws closer to God through new healthy habit
By Jennifer Menneci Never having been interested in all things related to science, I failed to appreciate the importance of a geomagnetic storm. But the beautiful northern lights produced by the most recent geomagnetic storm drew me to investigate what exactly this...
‘I am the servant of the Lord’
Above: The annual Immaculata Awards took place on the afternoon of Dec. 7 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse. 2025 Immaculata Award honorees represent 90 parishes By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer On the afternoon of Dec. 7, at the crowded...
What’s so funny about Respect Life?
Lots of laughs as Liverpool parishes take a lighter look at ministry By Charlie Young Contributing writer The mood at the parish center at Pope John XXIII Church in Liverpool was more “night club” than “night prayer” on a recent Friday evening. Nearly 70 people turned...
Candlelight vigils urge New York governor to veto physician-assisted suicide bill
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (OSV News) — With Advent having begun just six days prior — a spiritual season marked by themes of hope, peace, love and joy — more than 30 people braved the bitter cold in Syracuse Dec. 4 to speak out against a controversial bill that, should it pass, would allow physicians to assist terminally ill adults as young as age 18 to die by suicide.
Described by proponents as a compassionate end-of-life option with legal protections in place, the New York Legislature passed the Medical Aid in Dying Act (S. 138/A. 136), or MAiD, on June 9.
Seton Catholic students live out their faith by helping the homeless
Face-to-face interactions reflect humanity at its best By Connie McKinney Contributing writer Michael was shocked to see homeless people living on the street not far from his high school, Seton Catholic Central in Binghamton. “There’s so much in the world you just...
Deacon aspirant Jan DeAngelo reflects on tragedy, God’s presence in his life
By Jan DeAngelo On September 8, 2019, our lives changed as a family. Our son, Giordano, went out to mow his lawn and collapsed. The EMT workers tried to revive him for over 30 minutes. He died on the way to the emergency room. He was 27. The doctors told us he died...
Fostering fellowship and Christian charity
Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians in Oswego takes care of those in need By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer Throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season, many organizations provide charitable support to individuals and families in need within our...
In memoriam: Father Jude DeAngelo, OFM Conv.
Father Jude Thaddeus DeAngelo, OFM Conv., a Franciscan Friar of the Our Lady of the Angels Province, died on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 in Syracuse. Born in Binghamton on January 10, 1957, he was the son of the late Anthony and Nancy (nee Guerriero) DeAngelo. He is...
In memoriam: Rev. G. David Sears
The Rev. G. David Sears, 90, of Utica, passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the MVHS Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. Until his recent admission, he proudly maintained his home and lived independently. Rev. Sears was born in Utica, New York, on June 23,...
High school youth minister Nick Calaprico finds God in the silence
By Nick Calaprico If you’ve never found yourself alone in a foreign country—I highly recommend it. This past February, I traveled to Rome by myself. It wasn’t my original plan, but one that God apparently had planned for me. On my first evening, I explored the...
2026 holds 140 candles for the Diocese of Syracuse
Dear Diocesan Family, As we come to the final Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year and prepare for our national feast of Thanksgiving on Thursday, I am aware of an event that is not so well known that will occur this week as well. On Wednesday, November 26, the...
