ABOVE: Director of Development Beth Hoey speaks to parishioners gathered for the Sept. 12 Hope Appeal kick-off meeting at Immaculate Conception Church in Fayetteville.
Funding provides critical services across the Diocese
By: Eileen Jevis, staff writer
In July, the strongest tornado to hit Oneida County in 40 years left a path of destruction leaving residents homeless and businesses closed. Kelly and her husband John and their two children were among those whose homes were destroyed. They turned to Catholic Charities Emergency Services for help. The organization provided the family with clothes, towels, blankets, hygiene items and school supplies.
Craig, also from Oneida County, suffers from a chronic illness. After the tornado hit and the power went out, he was unable to use his breathing machine. He turned to Catholic Charities who supplied batteries so he could keep the machine working.
At the Sept. 12 Hope Appeal kick-off meeting at Immaculate Conception Church (IC) in Fayetteville, Bishop Douglas Lucia spoke about the vital services Catholic Charities provides in each of the seven counties within the diocese.
Bishop Lucia visits with parishioners attending the Sept. 12 Hope Appeal kickoff meeting at Immaculate Conception Church in Fayetteville.
Bishop Lucia referred to a letter from Pope Francis regarding Jubilee Year 2025, which begins, “Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5). The letter goes on to say, “Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring. Even so, uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt. Often, we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness. For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope.”
The Bishop reflected on the growing poverty and homelessness that is happening locally as well as the issues of mental health and immigration. “What more can we do,” he asked, “to help those in need? “Do you have people around you you can help along the way? The hope that dwells in the heart of each person is the desire and expectation of good things to come,” he said.
Bishop told the audience that his proximity to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Syracuse allows him to view the activity that takes place at the Cathedral Emergency Services, which is operated by Catholic Charities. “One gentleman I have met is 75 years old. He carries with him a green suitcase because he has no place to live,” Bishop said. While it has become more difficult for landlords to evict tenants, they have found other ways of removing people from their homes. “As a result, people are finding themselves living on the street,” said Bishop Lucia.
Close to 50 programs are funded through the Hope Appeal that provide hope and support to thousands of individuals each year. Food pantries and programs such as the Spanish Apostolate, the Totus Tuus summer program, and support services for the homebound and elderly such as live streaming Masses, were some of the other ministries the bishop highlighted.
Father Brendan Foley chats with parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua where Fr. Foley assists with the Spanish Apostolate.
College Campus Ministries also benefit from the generous donations of our faith-filled community. Michael Huynh is the director of the ministry that allows college students to continue or develop their religious life. Programs at SUNY Oswego, Cortland and Morrisville, as well as Syracuse University and ESF, Colgate University, Hamilton College and Utica area colleges, strengthen and nurture the spiritual lives of students, faculty and staff. While LeMoyne College is not supported through the Hope Appeal, they join in fellowship and evangelization with their collegiate partners in faith.
The Hope Appeal funding provides students opportunities for retreats, service projects, community building and prayer,” Huynh said. “Service is the hallmark of our faith. It is our responsibility to share the love God shares with us. “To see so many young people engaged and present at Mass and involved in so many ministries give us hope.” Huynh said that college is an important transformative part of students’ lives and they are looking for ways to live their values. “They hunger for meaning and connection and community service is a huge component of their experience,” he said.
Those beliefs are what prompted Catherine Wilson, a parishioner of St. Matthew’s Church in East Syracuse, to attend the kickoff meeting at IC. As a donor, she realizes the suffering of others and the great need in our area due to inflation, homelessness and hunger. “We are living in very difficult times right now,” she said. “A lot of people are hurting. Everyone is affected when they go to the grocery store. That is why our food pantries are a critical part of what the Hope Appeal supports.”
Bishop Lucia greets the guests, chatting with Nikki Rheaume, wife of recently ordained Deacon Craig Rheaume (at right) who is assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish.
Wilson is a strong advocate for Catholic education. As a parochial school graduate, she said that the tuition assistance funded through the Hope Appeal gives children an opportunity for a quality education and values that will last a lifetime. “Our children are our future and my own solid Catholic education prompts me to give back to those in need. I ask those reading this to please be generous. You cannot outdo God’s generosity.”
Jim Wright, a parishioner of St. Anthony’s Church, said he donates to the Hope Appeal because he wants the Catholic Church to stay in business, especially his parish, which, he said, is an oasis on the Southside of Syracuse. Wright believes in everything the Hope Appeal stands for. “The funding for the programs cannot wholly come out of parish budgets,” Wright said. “As the Bishop said, the pantry shelves are a little bare and it’s a challenge for parishes to try to keep things going. The economy is tough, inflation is high and the dollar doesn’t go as far as it once did.” Wright encourages those who aren’t familiar with the mission of the Hope Appeal to ask questions, become involved and give generously. Visit https://syracusediocese.org/hopeappeal for more information or to donate.
