The Catholic Sun
Digital Update
for
Dec. 14 – Dec. 20
Preview edition
Humble servants: Immaculata Award recipients have something in common
By Dc. Tom Cuskey
Editor
The 2nd Sunday of Advent carries a significant meaning in the Diocese of Syracuse. Since 2010, it has been the day when volunteers throughout the diocese, nominated by their pastors, are honored with the Immaculata Award. Bishop Emeritus Robert J. Cunningham established the tradition to show appreciation to volunteer members of the lay faithful for their outstanding service to Christ and his Church. The name of the award reflects the celebration’s proximity to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the model of humble service that the Blessed Mother gives us.
This year, 120 recipients representing 84 parishes were welcomed by Bishop Douglas J. Lucia during Vespers at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Bishop Lucia proclaimed it “a day to rejoice in the Lord always as we honor those who’ve made God’s kindness and love evident in our parish communities, in this local church.”
The Catholic Sun separately interviewed several of the recipients, but their comments exposed a group mentality. Each articulated a very common theme.
It’s a ‘wee’ Christmas tale that tells a story of local love and giving
By Dc. Tom Cuskey
Editor
The Diocese of Syracuse apparently is fertile ground for holiday authors.
The Dec. 7 edition of The Catholic Sun included a feature on Jennifer Catney’s “Filling the Manger,” a children’s Christmas book about acts of kindness that translate to strands of straw in the Holy Infant’s manger. (visit https://tinyurl.com/csun-filling-the-manger). Catney is a parishioner of All Saints Parish in Syracuse where families participated in a “build your own manger” activity, related to the book, after a recent Advent Mass.
St. Anthony of Padua Church celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe
By Eileen Jevis
Staff writer
Parishioners at St. Anthony of Padua Church on Syracuse’s south side gathered on Dec. 9 to celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is associated with a series of five Marian apparitions to a humble indigenous Aztec named Juan Diego. The first apparition took place in Mexico on Dec. 9, 1531. The Blessed Mother asked Diego to go to the bishop and tell him to build a church where she said, “I will show and offer all of my love, my compassion, my help, and my protection to my people.’
Cows get it! Barn Mass brings a glimpse of nativity to Advent
On Monday, Dec. 11, the Spirit of Hope Parish’s youth ministry discipleship group and their families came together for a Barn Mass hosted by John and Marnie Martin at their Vernon farm. Father Christopher Ballard, Spirit of Hope pastor, and parochial vicar Fr. James Buttner concelebrated. Mass was followed by a wonderful, peaceful evening of reflection with hot cocoa and a bonfire. Fr. Buttner gave a stirring homily exhorting those present to be a disciple to others.
Although there were no bells, the cows in the barn mooed at the exact moment of consecration!
No ‘Humbug’ here!
Retreat House fundraiser garners generous support
By Charlie Young
Contributing writer
Even Scrooge couldn’t sour this Christmas gathering.
Patrons and supporters of Christ the King Retreat House in Syracuse turned out in full force to enjoy a Christmas tradition and raise funds for a very worthwhile institution. Syracuse Stage was the Sunday afternoon setting recently for Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and the retreat house took advantage of the opportunity to join in the spirit. Their annual fundraiser featured special accommodations and refreshments for those who purchased tickets as part of the retreat house contingent. About 120 people participated in the fundraiser which exceeded expectations according to Joan Spector, retreat house director.
InterFaith Works hosts evening of prayer and reflection
Faith leaders across Central New York come together in solidarity
By Eileen Jevis
Staff writer
Christians, Jews, Muslims, Methodists, Buddhists, Baptists and Episcopalians are just some of the faith leaders who gathered on Dec. 5 at Onondaga Community College to stand unified for peace and nonviolence across the world. The program, Faiths United for Peace, was emceed by Bishop Colette Matthews-Carter, director of the El-Hindi Center for Dialogue and Action for Interfaith Works, and Rev. Dr. Peter Shidemantle, representing the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Rite welcomes candidates in Catholic formation
At the 4:30 p.m. Mass Dec. 2 at St. John/ Transfiguration in Rome, 10 candidates from that community and St. Leo/St. Ann in Holland Patent were invited to continue their faith journey at the Rite of Welcome. This is an important step in the Rite of Christian Initiation process as the candidates prepare to be received into the Church at the Easter Vigil.
Bottom row left to right: Jaxon Rutkowski, Brooklyn Grimaldi, Rachel Nadeau, Nick Falconer, Lorraine Christi, team member Bernadette Kapps, Bonnie Cardinal, Mike Jones; top row: Rich Neidig, Krystal Gaetano, Deanna Vaccaro, Monica Crowe Michael Corr, team member
Events in our Diocese
week of 12/14 – 12/20
Here is a listing of a few events of interest happening in our Diocese.
Visit here for a complete list.
Adoration, Praise & Worship
Grief Survivors- a grief recovery group
Advent Prayer Services
Tour of the Relics of Saint Jude the Apostle
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