Stewards of hope
Vicariate V Hope Appeal kickoff includes Greater Utica area By Tami S. Scott Editor “This is not a test,” said Beth Hoey, executive director of the Foundation of the Diocese of Syracuse, “but let me just ask you, what comes to mind when you think of stewardship?”...
Love is at the heart of a vocation, pope tells Augustinians
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service ROME (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV returned to his Augustinian confreres to encourage their new leader and to offer some final thoughts as they prepared to conclude their general chapter discussions about vocations, formation and...
Pope encourages hiring people with disabilities at Vatican
By Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV has approved a change in the Vatican labor laws to encourage offices to hire people with disabilities and to make the necessary accommodations. A rescript approved by the pope regarding “the...
New saint has special connection to nation’s capital with parish’s adoration chapel
By Mark Zimmermann Catholic Standard , OSV News WASHINGTON (OSV News) — St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, canonized by Pope Leo XIV Sept. 7, now has a special connection to Washington. A parish in the nation’s capital that has become a haven for young adult...
Pope calls for ‘covenant of humanity,’ promoting care, aid, trust
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Great spiritual traditions and mature critical thinking enable humanity to go beyond ethnicities, clans and cliques, which recognize only those who are similar and reject those who are different, Pope Leo...
A Knight’s reflection
The old man at the altar By Mike Langlois Contributing writer A few months ago, I stopped by a church in a neighboring town to pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. It was nearly 3 p.m. — The Hour of Mercy. Inside, the bright sun’s rays penetrated the multi-colored...
Bishop appoints Fr. Joseph Scardella as vicar forane for Vicariate I
By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer As of Aug. 1, Father Joseph Scardella, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Fulton and St. Stephen Parish in Phoenix, is the new vicar forane for Vicariate I. Including the three pastoral care areas (PCAs) of Oswego County,...
Faith lived out in service
St. Michael’s first scholarship recipient grateful for parish community Last year, to celebrate St. Michael’s 150th anniversary, the Church of St. Michael-St. Peter in Syracuse established a 150th anniversary scholarship for any graduating senior who remained active...
Our Lady of Good Counsel in Endicott offers ‘Family Holy Half Hour’
By Gary DiLallo Contributing writer Mark 14:16 “Could you not then watch one hour with Me?” A whole hour of prayer and devotion is great for some, but can be daunting for families with small children. That’s why a new, innovative approach to spending time in church...
Leading with faith
New Catholic school administrators step into the 2025-26 school year By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer Six Catholic schools in the Diocese of Syracuse have welcomed new leadership this academic year. The Catholic Sun conducted Q&A-style correspondence with the new...
St. John parishioners in Camden welcome visit by Bishop Lucia
The parishioners of St. John’s warmly welcomed Bishop Douglas J. Lucia on Sunday Morning, Aug. 17. It was Bishop Lucia’s first trip to Camden and he celebrated Mass along with Father John F. Hogan Jr., pastor of the parish. After the 9 a.m. service, all were...
VBS focuses on ‘heroes of the Old Testament’
St. Anthony of Padua’s Faith Formation in Cortland had a great time putting on its annual Vacation Bible School (VBS) this year. The “Heroes of the Old Testament” theme set the stage for all kinds of adventurous and fun activities. First, the Biblical personages were...
Meet Meredith Page, CSO director of development
By Tami S. Scott Editor The Diocese of Syracuse Catholic Schools Office recently welcomed Meredith Page as its first director of development, a new role created to strengthen and expand advancement efforts across diocesan schools. Working closely with principals,...
Dialogue, joint aid show world religion is force for good, pope says
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When people of different religions work together to serve people in need, they show the world that faith promotes peace and not hostility, Pope Leo XIV said. “When our dialogue is lived out in...
Crying out to God can be sign of hope, not crisis of faith, pope says
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Crying out to God during moments of extreme trial does not mark a crisis of faith but can reflect an act of total surrender to and enduring trust in God, Pope Leo XIV said. “In the journey of life,...
Broome County: Thanksgiving basket sign-ups accepted until Oct. 17
Individuals and families living in Broome County will have the opportunity to sign up for a Thanksgiving basket put together through the generosity of local parishes, donors, and business organizations. Baskets will include items needed for a wonderful holiday meal. ...
New young saints encourage faithful to live life to the full, pope says
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The greatest risk in life is to waste it by not seeking to follow God’s plan, Pope Leo XIV said, proclaiming two new saints — two young laymen of the 20th and 21st centuries. “Sts. Pier...
‘Hugs to your mom’
Benefit concert with Irish singing priest Fr. Ray Kelly raises funds for two charities By Tami S. Scott Editor When the Jennings family traveled to Ireland in August 2018, mom Elizabeth “Bette” Young Jennings got a turn up for the books. She met Father Ray Kelly, the...
HOPE Appeal witnesses every day ‘the fruits of generous hearts’
Vicariate VII kickoff includes Broome and Chenango counties By Deacon Tom Picciano Contributing writer “I’m very blessed to witness every day the fruits of generous hearts,” said Beth Hoey, executive director of the Foundation of the Diocese of Syracuse. Hoey was...
Mass for Opening of Catholic Schools: Finding ‘the beauty of God in one another’
By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer Many Catholic school administrators and teachers from throughout the Diocese of Syracuse filled the pews at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt for the annual school year opening day Mass on the morning of Aug. 28. There was a buzz of...
Students’ safety is top priority
By Amy Sansone Superintendent of Catholic Schools It was with great sadness that we heard of the tragedy at Annunciation School and Parish on August 27th. When speaking with a local news reporter that afternoon, I was asked, “Is safety a concern for our school...
Archbishop Hebda prays for community’s peace, fortitude, consolation after school shooting
By Joe Ruff The Catholic Spirit, OSV News RICHFIELD, Minn. (OSV News) — Hugs and tears preceded a service the evening of Aug. 27 to mourn and pray for those killed and injured after a shooting earlier in the day at a Minneapolis Catholic elementary school. Two...
Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, Utica
Parishioners of Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish in Utica made a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs, Auriesville, in honor of the Jubilee Year of Hope. More than 100 pilgrims joined in the full day, and close to 500 people came together for the holy day...
‘Friendship, fellowship, and learning’
Administrators prepare for the new school year at two-day leadership summit By Tami S. Scott Editor More than 97 administrators from five Upstate dioceses registered for the New York State Catholic Schools Leadership Summit, held earlier this month in East Syracuse....
Seeking knowledge, comfort, and grace
Office of Adult and Ministerial Formation to hold fall workshop: “Ministering to the Dying” By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer It’s not something we like to think about or talk about often, but the reality is that we will all eventually pass away. Although, as...
Who are we after Mass? After receiving Holy Communion?
I know at the end of my last column, I stated that my next writing would focus on the symbols and rituals of the Mass of the Roman Rite. However, I have decided to delay that column to address what I consider to be something that could be easily overlooked: “What...
NYS Historic Register adds St. Peter’s Church in Rome
By Tami S. Scott Editor On a beautiful, warm, and sunny Tuesday morning in August, Father Sean O’Brien, local officials, and a handful of parishioners gathered outside to celebrate the recognition of St. Peter’s Church on the New York State Historic Register. Present...
Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ, celebrate 25 years of service in the Diocese of Syracuse
Above: Bishop Lucia and the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ, on June 29. By Sister Mary Anulichukwu Emebo A great celebration on June 29, officiated by Bishop Douglas J. Lucia, highlighted a significant milestone — 25 years of dedicated...
Letter to the People on Confirmation Plan Approval
August 27, 2025 Memorial of St. Monica, wife and mother Dear Diocesan Family, For over five years, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse has been pursuing means of making reparation for the pain and mistreatment experienced by the survivors of child and adult...
