Chrism Mass message is one of welcoming and outreach

Priests from parishes, schools and institutions throughout the Diocese of Syracuse gathered along with deacons, religious and the laity to witness the blessing of holy oils during the Chrism Mass. On Tuesday of Holy Week each year, the Chrism Mass is celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Oils that are prepared and blessed are distributed to churches and parishes where they are used in celebration of the sacraments throughout the coming year. 

Quick Questions About Lent with Sr. Katie Eiffe, CSJ

What does the season of Lent mean to you?

The word “Lent” is derived from an ancient English word meaning “Spring.” When I think of Spring, I think of new life … the earth rising up from the dark and cold of Winter to new growth, new life. Within the Church, it is also the time of preparation for the candidates and catechumens who will be received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. So the Church enters into that preparation as well. It is a time when all of us are called to conversion — to turn our lives over to Christ, or to re-turn our lives to Him if we have drifted from Him. There is a wonderful hymn written by Rory Cooney titled “Change Our Hearts.” The refrain is:

Irish fun that does some good

UTICA — The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is not only about celebrating Irish culture, where “a ton of people” have fun, but also about getting together “to do some good” and “affect people’s lives.”

That’s how Utica parade co-director Pat McGrath described the donation of food and money to Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen on March 22.

McGrath, along with parade food drive co-chairs Bernie Adorino and Chris Hoke, presented an oversized check

Soup Kitchen Volunteer Honored as Woman of Distinction for Social Justice

UTICA — Nancy Doolen Robert grew up in Utica, where she graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School. She went on to Le Moyne College in Syracuse before heading to the North Country to pursue a career and raise a family.

After retiring as director of St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging, Nancy relocated to Forestport with her husband, closer her hometown. And she found herself asking what she should do now?

“I was lost for a period of time,” she told 400 attendees at the Mohawk Valley YWCA’s Women of Distinction luncheon on March 30, where she was receiving the Y’s Social Justice Award. “But in 2017 I found Mother Marianne’s West Side Soup Kitchen to be the perfect fit for me.”