The gift of God’s timing
By Mike Langlois While imprisoned during World War II, Dietrich Bonhoeffer — a German pastor and theologian executed for his part in the German resistance wrote, “God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the...
Answering the call to serve
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was standing-room-only during the April 25 Ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacon. Photos | Chuck Wainwright By Tami S. Scott Editor It was standing room only at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse. After...
New beginnings in Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia As April exploded into the exuberance of a long-awaited spring, many welcomed her arrival with great joy. Truly, the glory of Easter, buds bursting from their hiding places, ever brighter evenings, and the return of birds and butterflies are all...
Experiments in Catholicism: Converts Lighting the Way
By Emily E Long At the Easter Vigil on April 4, 2026, a record number of people in the Diocese of Syracuse were received into the Catholic Church. How amazing is that? Even better — this number isn’t an anomaly limited to Syracuse. All around the world, people are...
Save money, stretch your income
There are over 80 social service programs in the United States that help individuals and families save money and stretch their income. With so many options, it can be hard to know what you qualify for and how to access all the benefits available to you. The Benefits...A legacy of service, a heart of extraordinary kindness
HEADLINE: SUBHEAD: Monsignor J. Robert Yeazel passes away at the age of 84 PHOTO CUTLINE: By Elizabeth Landry, staff writer On paper, Monsignor J. Robert Yeazel’s various roles and contributions to the Diocese of Syracuse and to the wider...
Human dignity at center of social justice, development, says Vatican diplomat at UN
By Gina Christian OSV News (OSV News) — Human dignity must be placed at the center of achieving social justice and development, and faith-based organizations play a central role in that task, said the Vatican’s top diplomat to the United Nations....
The fears of Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia These past weeks, along with millions of others, my days have been lived in the grip of a cold and icy northeast with no sign of warmth coming soon. At the cold spell began and the icy snow first fell, I found myself in my hometown in New York,...
God’s will for us
By Mike Langlois Contributing writer When I began writing this column, I thought it important to give it a fitting title. I sent ideas to trusted people, and it became “A Knight’s Reflection.” The title fits well because, as a Knight of Columbus with a deep interest...
Anticipation in Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia If there is ever a time when the difference in perspective between children and adults is stunningly clear, it is during the four weeks of Advent. As Advent begins and its weeks stretch ahead, children will say, with a sigh of impatience, “Four...
Trading Ordinary Times for Advent
By Lucia A. Silecchia Several years ago, I was standing in a checkout line behind two women deep in conversation. I couldn’t help overhearing that one was recently widowed and struggling to adjust to this new season of her life. Most of their conversation, however,...
Are you prepared?
Preparing our hearts and homes for the coming of Christ By Valerie Vespe Note: The first Sunday of Advent this year is November 30. In our December 4 issue, we will provide reflections for the second and third Sundays of Advent (December 7 and 14, respectively). Our...
From Italy to America, ‘Mothers of Lu’ continue to pray for vocations
Before becoming a priest, Father John Brusa III was intent on becoming a meteorologist.
“Growing up, it was my childhood dream right up through high school,” he told The Catholic Sun in an interview leading up to his Ordination this past June. Then one day, while enrolled at SUNY Oswego, he was scrolling through social media and came across a quote by Fulton Sheen. “Something struck me about it,” he said. He researched the 20th-century bishop online and kept thinking how awesome it would be to save as many souls as Sheen did.
From Italy to America, ‘Mothers of Lu’ continue to pray for vocations
Above: Bishop Douglas J. Lucia joined the Mothers of Lu (and the fathers) for dinner at the Cathedral earlier this year, on May 12, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. By Tami S. Scott Editor Before becoming a priest, Father John Brusa III was intent on becoming a...
Giving thanks in Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia If most people were asked to describe a “typical” or aspirational Thanksgiving celebration, they would likely describe a scene like that portrayed in Norman Rockwell’s iconic 1943 painting, “Freedom From Want.” This painting is frequently...
A home for the holidays
Above: One year after moving to his new home, Gerry Scholtz, Sr., enjoys greeting his neighbors. From living in abandoned buildings or on the street, tenants of A Tiny Home for Good are grateful for a place to call home By Eileen Jevis, staff writer Surviving...
K of C golf tournament continues to support local food pantries
Story and photos submitted by Richard Strauss Each year, the Monsignor Meaney Knights of Columbus Council 9042, Elbridge, conducts a Golf Tournament at the Pearl Lakes Golf Course in Skaneateles to benefit the Jordan-Elbridge and Skaneateles Ecumenical Food Pantries....
Give thanks for God’s presence
By Sister Constance Veit, lsp As we look toward Thanksgiving and Christmas, I realize that 2025 is quickly coming to an end, and so is the Jubilee Year of Hope. What will be our takeaways from this special time of grace? Hope has become more real for me this year...
Bishop Lucia celebrates two special annual Masses
The Mass for World Missions and the Red Mass took place on Oct. 1 and 2 By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer Sun photos The first two days in October were the occasion for two annual Masses held in the Diocese of Syracuse: the Mass for World Missions was held on Oct. 1...
“Dilexi te”: Encouragement in Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia Pope Leo XIV recently released the first extensive document of his papacy, Dilexi te, an Apostolic Exhortation on love for the poor. Almost immediately, pundits responded, some thoughtfully and others with partisan “hot takes” that pulled a mere...
A thousand times I fall
By Mike Langlois Contributing writer My wife is an eternal optimist. I am not. No matter financial concerns, work-related stress, physical illness, or simply navigating major life changes, she seeks a positive path forward. When she senses I am growing discouraged,...
A treasury for Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia After many years spent in Catholic higher education, I have been pleasantly surprised to learn more each year about beautiful traditions and celebrations previously unknown to me. Thus, I was recently delighted to receive an invitation to a...
143-year-old brotherhood with a renewed calling: The Knights plan to spread the gospel
By Mike Langlois Contributing writer Recently, I wrote a column on the importance of Cor, a Knights of Columbus men’s faith-based initiative that is steadily growing worldwide. Now, I want to explain the history of the organization and its strategy to infuse...
A ‘fruitful heritage’ in Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia As September dawned, eyes turned to Rome with joy to celebrate the canonizations of two young men — Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis. In a particular way, many hoped that the holy lives of these two new saints would have a special...
Known by name in Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia The start of every new semester is packed with activities that always manage to take me by surprise, even though they happen every term. These are the days to fine-tune my syllabus, adjust to a new class schedule, study new editions of my...
A woman ahead of her time
‘Never forget that the Poor are Our Lord.’ By Sister Constance Veit, lsp For many years, our religious community was best known in the United States as half of a college sports parody comparing the worst teams to the Little Sisters of the Poor. Since 2013, we have...
Students’ safety is top priority
Above: In this 2024 photo, Father Cliff Auth, pastor of Immaculate Conception in Fayetteville and St. Ann’s in Manlius, stopped into the Kindergarten classroom at IC School to share a story about dogs with the students. By Amy Sansone Superintendent of Catholic...
Archbishop Hebda prays for community’s peace, fortitude, consolation after school shooting
Above: Molly Stoesz, right, hugs Blanche Dennis before a prayer vigil Aug. 27, 2025, at the Academy of Holy Angels in Minneapolis following a shooting earlier in the day at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis. A shooter opened fire with a rifle through the windows of...
The Rest of Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia Happy Labor Day! Whenever someone asks how I am, one of my most frequent replies is “Good, but busy.” That is rarely more true than it is in September. Autumn always seems to burst into our lives with a rapid increase in the events, activities,...
