The Catholic Sun Digital Update for
July 11 – July 24
Preview edition
‘A spiritual gem that has served people in our diocese and beyond’
Christ the King Retreat House’s final days of service
By Dc. Tom Cuskey, editor
“It is with mixed emotions that the Diocese of Syracuse announces the upcoming closure of Christ the King Retreat House, effective June 30, 2024.”
This announcement on May 8 from Bishop Douglas J. Lucia to the faithful of the diocese took many by surprise. Purchased in 1994 from the Jesuit Community, the retreat house was a spiritual refuge for many. Individual and group retreats serving countless needs were regularly scheduled. Various diocesan offices utilized the house for programs they offered. With ample meeting space, bedrooms for overnight guests and a full-service kitchen, the house was well suited for the task at hand, including many secular corporate events.
More than that, the grounds offered guests a chance to find peace and beauty in nature, an unusual bonus given the urban area street address. But changing trends, an aging building infrastructure and staffing challenges forced the diocesan hand.
Natural Family Planning: The methods matter
NFP works to achieve, avoid pregnancy and more
By Tami S. Scott, associate editor
When most people hear the phrase “Natural Family Planning” (NFP), their first thought might be that it’s just the Catholic equivalent of birth control. But the reality is that it offers so much more.
In essence, NFP is a natural way to manage fertility and “a way to understand fertility as a gift that comes from God,” said Family Life & Natural Family Planning coordinator Kristin Dievendorf.
Our Lady of Sorrows offers assistance through Deaf Ministry
Photos and story by Deacon Gary DiLallo, contributing writer
A special ministry requires special people. Apalachin resident, wife, mother, grandmother, educational interpreter and freelance deaf interpreter Lynette Shear is one of them. She recently answered the call to serve as a local deaf interpreter.
Shear thought she couldn’t possibly take on more responsibility. Then came a phone call request from Michele Murphy of the Diocese of Syracuse Deaf ministry asking her to interpret the Mass at our Lady of Sorrows Church in Vestal. Lynette’s immediate thought was going to be “no … But Michele didn’t give up. She believed in me.”
Meet the missionaries!
Totus Tuus 2024 is spreading the Good News locally this summer
Fifteen young adults gathered July 2 to receive a special blessing from Bishop Douglas J. Lucia following the midday Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The missionaries, here for the summer Totus Tuus program, stood before Bishop in the prayer garden outside the church for the commissioning.
“Lord, look kindly on your servants, we send them forth as messengers of salvation and peace,” Bishop Lucia prayed over them. “Guide their steps with your mighty arm, and with the power of Your grace, strengthen them in spirit, so that they will not falter through weariness.”
A Day of Renewal at Bishop Grimes
The Charismatic Renewal Office is hosting a Day of Renewal from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24 at Bishop Grimes High School, 6653 Kirkville Road, in East Syracuse.
The theme for the event is “Encountering the Divine Physician: Hope and Healing in a Broken World” featuring Dr. Mary Healy. Dr. Healy is a Professor of Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, and a bestselling author and international speaker.
“Jesus in the Eucharist strengthens us in times of trial” – Pope Francis
Bishop shares Pope Francis’ message during Eucharistic Days
By Eileen Jevis, staff writer
“Jesus does not spare us from difficulties but strengthens us with the Eucharist to have the courage to face them,” Pope Francis said in his reflection to the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square on June 23.
“When a storm arrives, do I let myself be overwhelmed by the turmoil or do I cling to him … to find calm and peace, in prayer, silence, listening to the Word, adoration and fraternal sharing of faith?” the Pope asked.
Making — and taking — time to serve
Bishop Ludden ’78 classmates add service project to reunion weekend
By Tami S. Scott, associate editor
On a recent cold, rainy, and windy Saturday spring morning, 18 classmates from Bishop Ludden Jr/Sr High School’s Class of 1978 volunteered outdoors for the non-profit organization, A Tiny Home for Good.
“It didn’t dampen our joy of being a team ready to accomplish our work,” said Ludden alumna Bridget Buttner.
Buttner’s classmate, Cathy Lunetta, is the mother of Andrew Lunetta, founder and executive director of the local organization.
‘Building hopes and dreams, one person at a time’
It is time to celebrate once again our nation’s Independence Day — the Fourth of July! As we do so, I hope we can use it as a time to reflect on the hopes and dreams that have built our country and those that we continue to aspire to! Two hundred and forty-eight years ago, our nation’s Declaration of Independence would state: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
As a nation and as a people, our understanding of these words has gone through growing pains throughout the years whether addressing human enslavement, women’s rights, the right to vote, the rights of workers, the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death, racism, migrants and immigration, and basic human rights universally.
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 love of God in ordinary time
By Lucia A. Silecchia
Recently, I spent a couple days on an annual getaway to a popular family theme park. Yes, there were long lines, hot weather, overpriced snacks and crowded hotels. Yet, in the happy exhausting chaos, I caught a glimpse of the love of God.
The park was filled with parents of young children. It did not take long to see that in the imperfect ways parents showed their love for their children, they were leading them – and those around them – to understand more fully the perfect love of God.
I saw a mother slowly and repeatedly explaining to her anxious young son that the train ride they were about to enjoy was not a roller coaster. She reassured him that it would stay firmly on the ground and move slowly along the tracks without speeding up, flipping upside down or plunging down an unexpected hill. In her kind assurance were echoes of a heavenly Father who reassures his children, “Be not afraid.”
Events in our Diocese week of 7/11 – 7/24
Here is a listing of a few events of interest happening in our Diocese.
Visit here for a complete list.
Bishop Curley Columbiette Yard, Craft and Collectible Sale
Jail Ministry’s Summer Picnic
Cobra Classic Golf Tournament (Bishop Grimes)
Annual ‘Men in Black’ Softball Game
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