Syracuse Parish celebrates milestone anniversary
By Tami S. Scott
Editor
During the weekend of Sept. 26, about 200 parishioners celebrated their beloved parish’s 100th anniversary with a special Friday evening Mass and reception that followed. Father Michael Galuppi, pastor, was the main celebrant, joined by several concelebrants.* Bishop Douglas J. Lucia offered remarks after the Rite of Communion.
“While it’s a small community (of about 300 families), it is a strong and vibrant community with a lot of enthusiasm,” said Fr. Galuppi.
From left to right: Fr. Matthew Rawson, Fr. Peter Tassini, Fr. Dennis Walker, and Fr. John-Leo Odour. Fathers Rawson, Tassini, and Walker grew up at St. James/Our Lady of Hope, and Father John-Leo Odour adopted Our Lady of Hope as his parish. All four said their first Masses there. All are native sons of the parish.
Remarkably, the parish has sparked several vocations to the priesthood, with Fr. Dennis Walker, Fr. Matthew Rawson, and Fr. Peter Tassini all coming from St. James/Our Lady of Hope. Fr. John Leo Odour also made this parish his home when coming to the Syracuse Diocese. “The parish has been very supportive of vocations and clearly has been a community that inspired vocations to the priesthood,” Fr. Galuppi added.
On Saturday, a warm and sunny afternoon, about 60 people gathered for a Eucharistic Procession outside the church.
A little history and a lot of present
St. James Parish, located on the Southside of Syracuse, was founded in 1925 and continued as a parish of the same name until declining numbers and a shortage of priests forced it to shutter (in name only), along with its neighboring parish, Our Lady of Lourdes (which physically closed). The two parishes merged in 2017 to form Our Lady of Hope Parish. Our Lady of Lourdes, however, did integrate some of its furnishings, including its iconic altar and the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, into its new home, the former St. James.
Parishioners reflected on the history and current status of their home parish.
Diane Lloyd, who has been a member for more than 60 years, recalled the days when four or five priests were living in the rectory and four Masses were offered each weekend, to now, where parishes share pastors and Mass times have been reduced.
“I know it has been difficult for many in our Diocese to adjust to all the churches closing and merging, as it has been for me, but we Catholics can be resilient,” she said. “St. James/Our Lady of Hope has been my home for my whole life — a place where I feel comfortable, accepted, and able to focus on worship of God. This anniversary has given me an opportunity to reminisce about all of the people and events that marked great and small moments in the life of my family.”
Chuck Scheftic and his family were parishioners of St. Mary’s in Jamesville until its closure in 2007. They visited a few different churches before settling on St. James, 15 years ago. Scheftic attended the anniversary Mass, which he said was beautiful. “To witness 10 priests who played prominent roles with this church on the altar at the same time was pretty special!”
Richard and Marie Shepardson joined St. James in 1976. “The parish was vibrant when we started, but diminished through the years and is now on the rebound,” Richard told The Catholic Sun. They said they wouldn’t miss the weekend celebrations for the world. “We’re elated to be a part of 100 years in the church. With all of the closings in the Diocese, we are glad it is still open.”
Richard added that they’re looking forward to Fr. Galuppi keeping up with the times, doing his best to make everyone feel welcome, and making changes that will benefit all. “This is a vital step towards the future of our parish,” he said.
“With our current linkage with St. Michael-St. Peter’s Church, Our Lady of Hope is solidly on track for another 100 years of service,” said Fr. Galuppi. “Its location between Jamesville, Onondaga Hill, and the Southside makes it a very advantageous location for ministry.”
* Concelebrants included Fr. Matthew Rawson, the pastor at Church of the Annunciation, Clark Mills, and St. John the Evangelist, New Hartford; Fr. Peter Tassini, Jr., who serves as the chaplain at Crouse Health in Syracuse; Fr. Dennis Walker, pastor at Church of the Nativity at St. Leo in Tully, St. Patrick Mission in Otisco, St. Joseph in LaFayette, and Immaculate Conception in Pompey; Fr. John Leo Odour, administrator at Christ the Good Shepherd in Oswego, Our Lady of the Rosary Mission in Hannibal and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission in Minetto; and Fr. Fred Mannara, pastor at Most Holy Rosary in Syracuse.
