‘Rooted in faith, growing in hope’
First of seven hope and gratitude celebrations kicks off 2025 HOPE Appeal By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer Behind each individual, couple, or household’s gift to the HOPE Appeal is a reason that drives such generosity. For Carl and Christine Dattellas, parishioners at...
‘God’s Garden’
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Endicott grows fresh vegetables for weekly dinners By Connie McKinney Contributing Writer Nick Pianella spent a recent summer evening picking peppers from a garden located outside of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Endicott. Then,...
A priestly life
Father Malachi Clark overcomes challenges on his way to the priesthood By Eileen Jevis Staff writer This is the third and final interview of a three-part series that offers a better understanding of the joys and challenges our priests experience as servants of God. We...
Join us for a one-day Jubilee pilgrimage
The Diocese of Syracuse invites you to a special one-day Jubilee Pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Mass., nestled in the breathtaking Berkshire Hills on the sacred ground of Eden Hill. This peaceful 375-acre site offers pilgrims the chance...
Sister Marion Charlene Honors, CSJ
Sister Marion Honors died July 19 at the Teresian House in Albany. She had been a Sister of St Joseph for 67 years. Sister was born in Syracuse, the daughter of Marion and Charles Honors. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1955 and studied at The College of...
The power of pilgrimage: The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy
Above: A view of Station of the Cross XII (Jesus is Crucified). Photo | Mike Langlois By Mike Langlois Editor’s note: Mike Langlois is the Grand Knight of St. Augustine Knights of Columbus Council 7273 in Peru, NY. He is also the Upstate Conference Coordinator for...
Sister Celine Courtney, CSJ
Sister Celine Courtney died at Teresian House, Albany, on Thursday, July 31, 2025. She was born in Rome, NY, the daughter of Daniel P. and Mary Blake Courtney. Celine graduated from Rome Free Academy. In September 1953, Sister Celine and her sister, Janet, entered the...
‘How can we pray for you?’
Diocese’s prayer companions provide spiritual support through collective prayer By Tami S. Scott Editor ‘How can we pray for you? Who would you like us to pray for?’ When the Syracuse Diocese, through its social media pages and emails, offers intercessory prayer,...
Deaf community honored during annual Bishop Mass and Picnic
The annual Bishop Mass and Picnic, celebrated in honor of the Deaf community, was held earlier this summer at The Church of the Nativity at St. Leo’s in Tully. Bishop Douglas J. Lucia presided over Mass and warmed the hearts of many as he signed during the Rite of...
Sister Clare Therese Pelkey
Sister Clare Therese Pelkey died unexpectedly at Kingsway Manor in Schenectady, NY, on July 22, 2025. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph for 71 years. Sister Clare was born in Schenectady, the daughter of Ruth and Milton Pelkey. After completing high school at St....
Prayer to the Blessed Virgin (Our Lady of Mount Carmel)
Thank you to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Mount Carmel for prayers answered, and for giving me my life back. – C.H. Prayer to the Blessed Virgin (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) (Never known to fail) O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine,...
Sisters of St. Francis elect new leadership team
The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities (SOSF) announced the election of a new leadership team: Sister Rita Marie Fritzen is the incoming general minister. Sister Fritzen served four years as a general councilor and congregational treasurer on the...
A pastoral bishop
ABOVE: Bishop Lucia celebrates the annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse on April 15, 2025. Also shown in the center is Father Joseph O’Connor, former pastor of the Baldwinsville pastoral care area. Bishop Lucia takes on new...
Late Summer 2025 Assignments
Reverend Monsignor James P. Lang will retire as the Episcopal Vicar for Parishes, effective August 1, 2025. Sincere gratitude is extended to Msgr. Lang for his tireless efforts in parish planning and the direction he has helped to form for the Diocesan Church. Most...
BG grad Piper Kruse wins ‘Tenacity in Tune’ student musician award
Kruse gets a behind-the-scenes look at The Syracuse Orchestra
Hard work and love of music earned Bishop Grimes 2025 graduate and musician Piper Kruse the Second Annual Drakos Urgent Care “Tenacity in Tune” Award from The Syracuse Orchestra. The award was created to honor a high school musician who is passionate and committed to becoming the best musician they can be. Kruse’s teachers and The Syracuse Orchestra mentors agreed she put in the extra work, had done the extra practice, and asked for help to take her playing to the next level.
‘Called to be Saints!’
Many young people attend Bishop’s Annual Vocations Picnic on Aug. 4 at Immaculate Conception in Fayetteville By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer The Diocese of Syracuse is blessed to have seven seminarians, currently in various stages of their formation, on the road to...
An overview of the Holy Mass
Part 2 of 2: The liturgical signs and symbols used to signify the working of the Holy Spirit during Mass Editor’s note: Part 1 of Bishop Lucia’s overview of the Mass was published in the July 31 issue of The Catholic Sun. It can also be found online at...
Practicing our faith
Diocesan employees volunteer at Emmaus Ministry Above: (L to R) Eileen Jevis, Catholic Sun; Bishop Douglas J. Lucia; Emily Long, Elyse Simon, and Beth Hoey, Foundation Office. Photo courtesy of Beth Hoey By Eileen Jevis Staff writer Each of you should use whatever...
Sacred Heart Parish: A new chapter begins
Father Sean O’Brien navigates change, connection, and challenge in his latest assignment Above, Bishop Lucia and Father O’Brien at the reception following the installation Mass at Sacred Heart Parish in Rome on July 28. Photos courtesy of Sacred Heart Parish By Tami...
New Beginnings in Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia Unbeknownst to me, when I changed my calendar to August, I entered “National Back to School Month.” As fond as I am of new school supplies and the scent of new books, not even I knew that this is celebrated for an entire month. Yet it is....
Statement of Bishop Douglas Lucia on the 80th anniversary of the dropping of the Atomic Bombs
“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” I have sung these words since I was a child, and they continue to sing out in my heart today. I find it so humbling to offer Christ’s greeting to the world when I call out at the beginning of Mass, “Peace be with you.” This is my humble prayer today
‘The world hasn’t forgotten us’
Congo Mission at All Saints supports Congolese communities in need By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer The central African country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been ravaged and war-torn for over three decades. Deadly rebel groups, such as the Allied...
Through partnership and prayer
Those struggling with weight loss find support, inspiration, and motivation By Eileen Jevis Staff writer Like so many others, Ellen McCauley experienced the frustration and struggles of losing weight. In 2007, McCauley, a parishioner at Holy Family Church in...
In Memoriam: Sister Ann Belz, IHM
Sister Ann Belz, IHM, (formerly Sister Mary Lourdes) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died on Friday, July 4, 2025, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, Penn. Born on March 24, 1937, in Baltimore, Md., and given the name Ann Elizabeth,...
CSBC board president resigns
The Catholic Schools of Broome County (CSBC) announces the resignation of Tracy Caezza as president of the CSBC, effective August 7. The CSBC Board of Directors is deeply grateful for her dedicated service, leadership, commitment to Catholic education, and the many...
The importance of the K of C Cor program
By Mike Langlois Grand Knight of St. Augustine Knights of Columbus Council 7273 In November 2023, I was in my first year as Grand Knight for St. Augustine’s Council 7273, Peru, NY, when an article in the Knights of Columbus’ Columbia magazine piqued my interest. The...
A priestly life
Fr. Tom Servatius shares the challenges and joys of his vocation and his passion for gardening By Eileen Jevis Staff writer This is the second of a three-part series that gives a glimpse of the many and varied duties that priests in the Diocese juggle each and every...
Sun, SOLIS, and podcast win Catholic Press Awards
By Tami S. Scott Editor The Catholic Sun took three awards in the Newspaper and Magazine divisions of the 2024 Catholic Press Awards announced June 27 at the Catholic Media Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The awards are presented by the Catholic Media Association...
Massacre ‘of faithful in the house of God’ in Congolese Catholic church leaves 43 dead
By Fredrick Nzwili OSV News (OSV News) — At least 43 people, including children, were killed July 27 in a brutal overnight attack on a Catholic church in Komanda in eastern Congo. Militants from the Allied Democratic Forces — an Islamist group linked to...
