By Tami S. Scott
Associate editor
Four speakers were on the docket for the Diocesan Pastoral Council’s (DPC) fourth and final meeting of 2024. Members from parishes in each of the seven vicariates gathered on a recent Saturday morning, starting the day with Mass at Holy Cross Church in Dewitt.
Father Charles Vavonese, who has earned national recognition for his work in comforting people with end-of-life issues, spoke about Project Compassion, which he co-founded with Dr. Paul Fiacco, a family physician based in East Syracuse. Fr. Vavonese is also a weekend associate at Holy Cross Church.
The project provides resources for palliative care on topics including end-of-life legal considerations, peace for people who are at end of life, a scriptural reflection on hope and grieving after a loved one has died. Project Compassion also trains pastoral care volunteers to help address patients’ emotional and spiritual needs.
For more information, you can visit www.compassionandcope.org.
Hope Appeal update
Diocesan Foundation Office Executive Director Beth Hoey said as of Nov. 10, Hope Appeal contributions totaled just over $3.1 million, the result of gifts from 11,125 households. At the time of her report, most parishes were in the 70-75% mark of their goal. Twenty-two parishes had exceeded their goals already, six parishes were over the 90% mark and 12 over 80%. Hoey added that of those parishes over goal, a total of $98,000 is already earmarked for distribution back to them in 2025.
Hoey said though campaign reports typically focus on the numbers, “truthfully, what all of this is about is our work as a church and the work that we’re called to do.
“Through the gifts of you and your fellow parishioners, it really enables our staff and our volunteers to be the face and hands of Christ to those who need us in the work that we do all year long,” she told the DPC members. “That’s what Hope Appeal is all about.”
Collaborative Catechesis
Another presentation by parish life director Kathy Poupart, of St. Patrick/St. Anthony’s of Chadwick, and Cheryl Smith, collaborative catechesis coordinator for Vicariate five, focused on a catechetical program they’ve developed for nine parishes in the Rome area. The program, which is spread over six sites, is designed for ninth and 10th grade students. They detailed how the flexible schedule works for the approximate 200 teens involved, and reported that more teens have joined since its implementation.
Solis Magazine and The Catholic Sun
Editor-in-chief Deacon Tom Cuskey spoke about the different diocesan media platforms, including the bi-weekly newspaper, The Catholic Sun, a companion digital update, social media platforms and the new SOLIS magazine. He asked for feedback on the two publications through a survey that can also be found online at www.thecatholicsun.com.
Bishop Douglas J. Lucia closed the meeting with a brief question-and-answer session, as usual.
Members will meet next in March of 2025.
