The Catholic Sun Digital Update for
August 22 – September 4
Preview edition
Above: From left: Fr. Adam Rosinski, Sr. Amanda Matkovic DC , Jeremy Bobak, Sr. Rosemary Bell, seminarian Carlos Gonzalez, Jr. answer questions from the audience about their commitment to religious life.
When God is ‘nudging your heart’
Attendees at Vocation Picnic recall their defining moment to serve Christ
By Eileen Jevis, staff writer
Sun photos | Chuck Wainwright
Priests, deacons, seminarians, religious sisters, youth ministers and young adults gathered at Christ the King Retreat House on August 7 for the last event that would take place at that venue. The Bishop’s Annual Picnic is an evening of dinner, conversation, prayer and discernment for young adults across the diocese who are open to God’s call to vocations — whether as religious leaders, lay ministers or whatever purpose God plans for them.
Father Jason Hage, director of Vocation Promotion, kicked off the event, welcoming those assembled as well as keynote speaker Father David McCallum, SJ, a LeMoyne College graduate and founding executive director of The Program for Discerning Leadership. Fr. McCallum talked to the audience about making certain sacrifices in order to have a life of purpose. Whether deciding to serve the church, entering into marriage or committing to another vocation, Fr. McCallum said that it is through prayer and listening to God that you will know what is inside your heart. He encouraged those gathered to pay attention to the thoughts and feelings within them as they begin to discern what the voice of God and the Holy Spirit is telling them.
One final celebration
ABOVE: A “family” photo of those who attended the Mass of Thanksgiving at Christ the King Retreat House.
A Mass of Thanksgiving concludes the service of a diocesan landmark
By Dc. Tom Cuskey, editor
One last gathering took place recently at the stately mansion turned retreat house at the top of the hill on Brookford Road.
Over the past thirty years, thousands of people made their way to Christ the King Retreat House on the east side of
Three diocesan schools welcome new leaders
By Tami S. Scott, associate editor
Notre Dame Jr/Sr High School, Bishop Ludden Jr/Sr High School and Seton Catholic Central High School each welcome a new principal for the 2024-25 academic school year, and an associate principal at Notre Dame, too.
The Sun reached out to each administrator with a few questions to help introduce them to our readers and give insight into who they are and what’s important to them. The following are excerpts from interview responses
Praise in the Park returns to Liverpool
ABOVE: Lisa Scott (right), the adult spirituality coordinator for the linked parishes of Christ the King and Pope John XXIII in Liverpool, welcomed guests last year. Lisa passed away suddenly last November and will be celebrated in song and prayer at this year’s event.
By Dc. Tom Cuskey, editor
“Mostly sunny skies. High 79F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.”
That’s Weather.com at press time describing Friday, August 23 in Liverpool where “Praise in the
In memoriam: Deacon Dale Grey
Dale Garth Grey, 61, retired United States Air Force Colonel and permanent deacon assigned to St. Bartholomew’s and St. Paul’s Catholic Churches in Norwich died unexpectedly on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at UHS Wilson Medical Center in Binghamton.
Deacon Dale was born in Ithaca to C. Garth and Jane (Tingley) Grey. He grew up in Norwich. After graduation from Norwich High School in 1981, he joined the Air Force and later transferred to the reserves to attend college. His desire to serve others was apparent then, earning an associate’s degree in nursing from SUNY Morrisville, his bachelor’s degree in nursing from SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica-Rome, and his Master’s degree in nursing from Wright State University in 2000.
Celebrating Assumptions!
ABOVE: The mural depicting the Assumption hangs in the rear of the Northside church.
By Dc. Tom Cuskey, editor
As we are within the octave of the celebration of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it’s not a coincidence that we are highlighting a couple of the parishes named for the feast, one a diocesan church and the other a church of the Franciscan Friars Conventual.
What is the Assumption, exactly?
To begin from the proper perspective, the Revised 2nd edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 966, states that
Procession brings the Blessed Mother to the streets of Skaneateles
Above: Thayer Park, on the shore of Skaneateles Lake, was the gathering place for recitation of the Rosary celebrating the Solemnity of the Assumption and a Lourdes reunion.
Order of Malta event conjures memories of Lourdes
By Dc. Tom Cuskey
The village of Skaneateles is a popular destination year-round for people seeking a moment of respite amid beautiful surroundings. Those strolling the downtown sidewalks on the afternoon of Saturday, August 17 were
‘Jesus is waiting for you’
Editor’s note – Bishop Lucia’s column usually appears in this spot but this week we have a guest columnist, Sr. Constance Veit, who has previously graced the pages of The Catholic Sun. Bishop Lucia will be back in our next Digital Update (and is always available in the print edition of The Catholic Sun – consider supporting us with a subscription)
By Sister Constance Veit, LSP
Saint Jeanne Jugan, foundress of my community of Little Sisters of the Poor, was a woman of few words. She left behind no letters or other writings but she did impart little bits of advice to the young Little Sisters among whom she spent her final years.
Welcome to SunSpeak…
Each Digital Update from the Catholic Sun features…
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A timely column from Bishop Douglas J. Lucia.
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Ordinary Time” with Lucia Silechia, (the “Lucia” theme is purely concidental).
From time to time we will feature other columns of note. Let us know if you like the service we are providing; email us at [email protected].
‘The rest of ordinary time’
By Lucia A. Silecchia
Anyone who has spent time with a toddler likely knows one great mystery of young minds: fierce opposition to naps. This is a mystery to me because, as an adult in a busy world, I often find myself wishing that mandatory naps were a part of my everyday life. Yet, to those much younger than I, rest is something to be resisted with every ounce of strength. This is true even if it is loving, caring adults who know that rest refreshes and re-creates, and that lack of rest is a recipe for a difficult day.
Before I criticize my youngest sisters and brothers too much, though, I have to ask if we adults do the same thing.
Events in our Diocese week of 8/22 – 9/4
Here is a listing of a few events of interest happening in our Diocese.
Visit here for a complete list.
Divine Mercy Golf Tournament
The Third Option
Novena to the Miraculous Medal and St. Jude Thaddeus
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