The Catholic Sun Digital Update for
February 22 – March 6
Preview edition
Bishop Lucia reflects on the vocation of Marriage
By Eileen Jevis, Staff Writer
Sun photos l Chuck Wainwright
On February 11, just days before Valentine’s Day, close to 100 married couples from across the diocese gathered at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to commemorate their commitment to each other during the annual World Marriage Day Mass. Sponsored by the Office of Family/Respect Life Ministry, couples marking milestone anniversaries received a blessing from celebrant Bishop Douglas J. Lucia.
This year’s theme, “Love beyond Words,” is taken from John 15:12: ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
The longest married couples present included Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Prell, parishioners of Christ the King in Liverpool celebrating 73 years of marriage, and Mr. and Mrs. William Noroski from St. Joseph the Worker Church in Liverpool marking 71 years.
Women of the diocese triangulate for grace in Lenten retreats
Annual event is held in Syracuse, Broome County and for the first time in Utica
By Fran Perritano, contributing writer
Judy Henty is a big believer in women’s religious retreats — she’s attended four. Getting her to go to her first retreat, however, required a little coaxing.
“A very persistent member of my church who had attended Syracuse Catholic Women’s Conferences in the past graciously organized a carpool
‘Here I am, Lord’
By Jennifer Menneci,
Contributing writer
“Here I am, Lord” seems to be the story of my life as a parent. The Lord blessed me with three children and since then life has been a variety of “call and response” scenarios. The call looks different every time. Sometimes it’s the sound of a whispered phone call in the middle of the night, ”are you awake? Can we talk?” Other times it resembles the thunder of many horses as children come barreling through the house, heading towards the pool yelling, “yeah we’re here and we’re hungry!” And other times, the call might be a frantic, “don’t worry, nothing’s broken.”
40 Days for Life kicks off 31st campaign
By James Mostrom, contributing writer & photographer
Prayer, fasting and helping others — those are the practices of Lent. They are also the pillars for the 40 Days for Life campaign that started this past Ash Wednesday in Syracuse.
Wind and bitter cold did not deter over a dozen pro-life advocates from gathering outside Planned Parenthood on East Genesee Street to kick off their 31st campaign with a midday prayer service. The biennial event is part of an international effort
Officially a ‘Cool Congregation’
All Saints Parish wins national award
WASHINGTON, D.C., February, 2024 — All Saints Catholic Church, Syracuse, NY is one of the six national Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) 2024 Cool Congregations Challenge winners awarded a $1000 prize. The annual contest accepts applications from religious congregations around the United States who are doing work to address climate change
Shivering shoreline! Priests, buddies take polar plunge
Fathers Ballard, Buttner honor pledge to help HOPE Appeal
Someone announced it was a sporting event, so people sang the national anthem by the boulders leading to Oneida Lake, where the water temperature had to be in the 30s on Super Bowl Sunday at Sylvan Beach.
87 and going strong
The parishioners of Most Holy Rosary Church in Syracuse recently paid tribute to their pastor, Fr. Fred Mannara, as he celebrated his 87th birthday on Tuesday, February 12! A special Happy Birthday banner was placed outside the MHR rectory so all who drove or walked by in the westside neighborhood could wish him well. One parishioner suggested that everyone should “think of this dear priest who has devoted his life in service to our Lord and as a spiritual guide to so many in and outside the MHR parish community.”
Lenten goals: personal conversion,
progress in love
Bishop Douglas J. Lucia The Catholic Sun bi-weekly column
“Through the Desert God Leads us to Freedom.” This is the theme of the message of His Holiness Pope Francis for Lent 2024. The Holy Father writes: “Lent is the season of grace in which the desert can become once more – in the words of the prophet Hosea – the place of our first love (cf. Hos 2:16-17). God shapes his people, he enables us to leave our slavery behind and experience a Passover from death to life. Like a bridegroom, the Lord draws us once more to himself, whispering words of love to our hearts.”
Welcome to a new feature…
Each Digital Update from the Catholic Sun will now feature…
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Bishop Douglas J. Lucia’s column from the previous print edition of The Catholic Sun
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Column from Lucia A. Silecchia (the “Lucia” theme is purely coincidental). She is a Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Faculty Research at the Catholic University of America. Her column is nationally syndicated.
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].
Answers in Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia
“Will this be on the exam?” Anyone who is a teacher will recognize this question as one that erupts like clockwork when midterm or final exam season rolls around.
Intellectually, I know that students are likely to ask this question out of fear. Often, time is short and reading assignments are long. Thus, practical and efficient students want to know how to make the best use of their time. I understand that.
Events in our Diocese week of 2/22 – 3/6
Here is a listing of a few events of interest happening in our Diocese.
Visit here for a complete list.
Lenten Fish Fry (s)
Dive into Scripture
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