Know Your Faith, Live Your Faith, Share Your Faith
At Their Fingertips
CAMPUS NEWMAN CENTERS PROVIDE FAITH-CENTERED FELLOWSHIP FOR STUDENTS
SHORTEST WAIT TIMES.
GRAND
Dear Reader,
Since December 23, 2024, two days after the Winter Solstice, light has been returning in greater abundance each day to warm the earth — the holy ground on which our lives are planted — and to further light our way. These same sentiments can also be written about this new issue of our diocesan publication, SOLIS. In this Year of Jubilee as we are invited to be “Pilgrims of Hope,” the articles that follow are meant to “stir into flame” (2 Tm 1:6) the gift of God in our lives. They illustrate for their readers God alive in our midst today. I hope they will provide you with renewed food for thought and inspiration as we continue the pilgrimage of faith. A journey which in the words of St. John Henry Newman, the patron of campus ministry, ring true: “Cor ad cor loquitor” — “Heart speaks to heart.”
I am so grateful to Tami Scott, the new editor of The Catholic Sun, and all her associates, for all they have done to produce this second issue. May it light the way to Christ for those who read it, and may it continue to help the light of Christ expand in our world!
In the Name of Jesus,
Most Reverend Douglas J. Lucia Bishop of Syracuse
From the Bishop
From the Editor
Dear friends,
Welcome to the second issue of SOLIS — we hope you find it just as enjoyable and inspiring as our inaugural issue!
I am deeply honored and humbled to be part of this new initiative as editorin-chief. My deepest gratitude to all who were involved in making it happen — it literally takes a village. Thank you, too, friends, for your continued support as The Catholic Sun subscribers, Hope Appeal contributors, and, most importantly, champions of our evangelistic mission.
Within these pages, we anticipate that you’ll be encouraged by many hopefilled stories. Our main feature highlights young adults whose faith is nurtured at Newman Centers across college campuses in New York state. Another explores the saints our Confirmation candidates feel most connected to — and why.
Childhood friends Geoffrey Reck and Michael Bielak reminisce about the reverence and respect they gained for the Catholic Mass as altar servers and how they continue to support the ministry today as adults.
We also share the inspiring story of a small but significant number of parishes in our diocese that might not exist today were it not for the dedication of five individuals who answered God’s call.
And let’s not forget — it’s a Jubilee Year! If you can, take some time this spring and summer to visit the beautiful shrines across our state, highlighted on pages 18-22.
I could go on and on, but sometimes it’s best to be pleasantly surprised by what you discover as you turn the pages. You can help to keep the pages turning for us, too, as participants in our mission of evangelism, supporting our diocesan newspaper and foundation. We appreciate you!
Many blessings,
Tami Scott Editor-in-chief
CONTRIBUTORS
Tami S. Scott is the editor-in-chief of The Catholic Sun. A Liverpool native, Tami is an award-winning writer and editor, formerly with Scotsman Publications and Eagle Newspapers in Syracuse. She has contributed as a freelance writer to a number of media outlets and served as newsletter editor for Bishop Ludden Jr/Sr High School. She is a member of St. Augustine Church in Baldwinsville.
Elizabeth Landry is a staff writer at The Catholic Sun and has worked in content in various capacities for over 10 years. She has written for CNY Publications, created online content for a local e-commerce publishing firm, and managed content operations for a local tech startup. A native of Lyncourt, Liz graduated from Bishop Grimes Jr/Sr High School and SUNY Geneseo. She worships at St. Matthews Church in East Syracuse.
This is Eileen Jevis’s second stint with The Catholic Sun after serving as staff writer in the early 2000s. She covered the relocation of Mother Marianne Cope’s remains from Molokai to Syracuse in 2005. Upon retirement from University College of Syracuse University, Eileen returned to the Sun as a part-time contributor. Her multiple journalism awards include the Commander’s Award for Public Service from the U.S. Army. She worships at Holy Family Church in Fairmount.
Deacon Tom Cuskey is former editor-in-chief and current consultant at The Catholic Sun and has a media career that includes radio news, directory publishing, and 35 years in weekly community publications. Tom was ordained a permanent deacon in 2010 and worked in the deacon formation program for 11 years, including time as director of the program. He is assigned to the linked parishes of Christ the King and Pope John XXIII in Liverpool.
Renée Romance, an active parishioner at St. Mary of the Assumption in Baldwinsville, is a gifted writer who shares her work in many capacities. In 2012, her haiku was selected for the Syracuse Poster Project. In May 2020, the St. Mary’s Ministry Team created a weekly email, A Spiritual Connection, for those who could not attend church during the pandemic. It continues today under Renée’s direction.
Know Your Faith
7 Briefs 10 Architectural Highlight: Historic Old Saint John’s Church, Utica
14 What’s in a name? Confirmation names deeply personal for students
24 Women of the Bible: ‘You are God who sees me’
Live Your Faith
FEATURES
18 Looking for a summer getaway? Take a pilgrimage to a ‘Spiritual Clinic’
28 The Newman Center: A spiritual home for Catholic students: ‘Different backgrounds but a common sense of faith and love’
32 Parish life directors: No small task
Share Your Faith
23 Well versed
42 Priests with pets FEATURES
35 Photo Essay: We are all God’s children
38 My brother, the altar server: Two friends lead tomorrow’s altar servers together
PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER
Most Reverend Douglas J. Lucia
CHANCELLOR & DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Danielle Cummings
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Tami S. Scott
FORMER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & CONSULTANT
Deacon Tom Cuskey
STAFF WRITERS
Eileen Jevis
Elizabeth Landry
MAGAZINE DESIGNER
Colleen Kiefer/Kiefer Creative
BOARD OF DIRECTORS VOLUNTEER
CREATIVE ADVISOR
Amy Bleier Long
GRAPHICS SUPPORT
Willie Putmon
ADVERTISING
Mark Klenz
CIRCULATION/OFFICE SUPPORT
Emily Long
PHOTOGRAPHER
Charles Wainwright/ Wainwright Photography
SOLIS is a publication of The Catholic Sun, official newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, NY, serving Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga and Oswego counties.
SOLIS is direct mailed to subscribers of The Catholic Sun and supporters of the annual diocesan Hope Appeal campaign. Subscriptions are available for $26 annually by calling 315-422-8153.
ALL INQUIRIES: The Catholic Sun Diocese of Syracuse 240 East Onondaga St., Syracuse, NY 13202 (315) 422-8153
solis@thecatholicsun.com www.thecatholicsun.com
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Mon-Fri.
The Catholic Sun is published by the Syracuse Catholic Press Association, Inc. SOLIS is made possible in large part thanks to a McDevitt Evangelization Grant. We are very grateful for this generous support.
Let’s have Catholic Conversations!
Do you ever have questions about our Catholic faith? Are some terms perplexing or customs too complicated to fully understand? Maybe you want to know more about what’s going on in the diocese or to simply familiarize yourself with the faces of clergymen or laypeople you haven’t yet met but have heard their names?
Well, add this new resource to your list!
Catholic Conversations, a brief Q&A-style podcast with sessions that typically last 20 minutes or so, is produced by Catholic TV. The podcast is our latest endeavor to reach an even wider audience who wants to learn about or deepen their Catholic knowledge and faith.
A “cradle Catholic” with a solid background in Catholic education, Joelle Zarnowski hosts the show. And she even says the learning continues.
“For somebody who has been born and raised Catholic and had Catholic education and has been involved in parish life for their entire life … if there are still things that I’m learning, then certainly there are other people out there who maybe have misconceptions or misunderstandings of the Catholic faith,” she said.
Episodes won’t always take on a serious tone, though. “We can find ways to make it fun and engaging and creative and enjoyable for everyone. And so, if there are ideas that people have that they want to toss out at us, please do.”
And she’s serious!
Listeners can offer their feedback by emailing CatholicConversations@syrdio.org.
You can also spread the word about this new podcast by visiting and watching the episodes at youtube.com/@syrdio, where you can subscribe, like, and share.
“For somebody who has been born and raised Catholic and had Catholic education and has been involved in parish life for their entire life … if there are still things that I’m learning, then certainly there are other people out there who maybe have misconceptions or misunderstandings of the Catholic faith.”
Joelle
Zarnowski
Know Your Faith
SYMBOLS & TRADITIONS
It’s Jubilee 2025!
This year marks the 2025th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. That alone is a great reason for the Worldwide Church to celebrate with a Jubilee Year, but it is also our Catholic tradition to observe a jubilee every 25 years.
You’ll find its roots in the Old Testament, Leviticus 25:8-12: “You shall treat this fiftieth year as sacred. You shall proclaim liberty in the land for all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you.” (Lev 25:10)
In 1470, Pope Paul II changed the cycle from 50 to every 25 years and it has been so ever since. Can’t wait too long to celebrate, right?
Pope Francis declared 2025 to be a Jubilee Year, calling the faithful to renew ourselves as “Pilgrims of Hope.” The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops invites all to stay abreast of the Jubilee on its website, usccb.org/jubilee2025, where you will also find a link to the official Vatican Jubilee site (iubilaeum2025.va).
In the Diocese of Syracuse, there are planned programs, retreats, and pilgrimages throughout the year, something for everyone within easy reach. Visit syracusediocese.org/jubilee-2025 for details, follow the diocese on social media and keep an eye on the diocesan events calendar (events.syracusediocese.org). And, of course, stay in touch via The Catholic Sun, the official news medium of the Diocese of Syracuse, for the latest.
Let’s celebrate the Good News, Jubilee-style!
A basket full of hope
Making pisanki, or Polish Easter eggs, is a long-held tradition of decorating eggs with intricate designs using beeswax and different colored dyes. The painstaking process requires patience and a steady hand, and is carried on in the various Polish communities within the Diocese of Syracuse, including the community at the Sacred Heart Basilica. Pisanki are said to symbolize the revival of nature and the hope that one’s faith is revitalized through the Resurrection.
CHARLES WAINWRIGHT
A history of hymns
“I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise.”
(PSALM 101:1)
We sing the hymns at Mass every week, but how often do we consider their histories? Perhaps learning a little about how the hymns came to be will help deepen our appreciation for music during the liturgy and bring us even closer to God as we sing His praises.
In their most basic form, most hymns are variations of messages found in Scripture. Talking about the scriptural basis of music during the liturgy, Joshua Corcoran, director of Liturgy and the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults for the Diocese of Syracuse, explained, “We know that people sang during times of ritual both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. [Many] parts of the Scriptures themselves we know to be hymns that were sung.”
One of the most popular hymns written during the 20th century, “I Am the Bread of Life,” is based on Jesus’ words found in the Gospel of John: “I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever
hunger; no one who believes in me will ever thirst” (John 6:35). The hymn was written by Sister Suzanne Toolan in 1964, during a free period while she was a high school teacher. She decided she didn’t like the music, so she tore up the paper and threw it in the trash. When the bell rang at the end of the period, a freshman girl came out of the infirmary, located right next to Sister Toolan’s classroom, and asked her, “What was that? It was beautiful!” Sister Toolan pieced the manuscript back together and the rest is history.
As we prepare for the Easter season during Lent, the hymn’s message of hope and resurrection found in the words of Jesus is particularly powerful. So, too, is a meaning we can find in the story of the hymn’s composition: Sometimes we may doubt ourselves, but encouragement from others can bring the true beauty of our God-given talents to light.
Fragment of a 13th-century choir book from Southern Italy, featuring a historiated initial.
In this 2023 photo, Le Moyne College students lend their voices to support the popular Mass on the Grass on campus.
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART
CHARLES WAINWRIGHT
ARCHITECTURAL HIGHLIGHT:
Historic Old St. John’s Church
PHOTOS BY CHARLES WAINWRIGHT
CONTRIBUTED
BY KEVIN SCHULTZ
HISTORIC OLD ST. JOHN’S CHURCH IN UTICA: This Romanesque-style church has the distinction of being the fourth-oldest incorporated Catholic Church in New York state. It is preceded in order by St. Peter’s Church on Barclay Street in New York City, St. Mary’s Church on Lodge Street in Albany and Old St. Patrick’s, also in New York. The arrival of Irish
1 The two stately towers, added to the church after its construction, were completed by Utica contractors Pius Kerner and John Ulrich. They rise from the ground 260 feet into the sky. In the northern belfry, there are 10 bells ranging in size with the largest weighing 3,085 pounds.
2 This is one of the original windows and was made by William Gibson Company of New York City, a pioneer in stained glass in the United States. Belgian immigrant Henry Goetnick, who trained at the Munich School of Art, painted the figures of the Risen Christ appearing to the disciples on Lake Tiberias.
3 The High Altar is carved from Carrera marble with images of grapes and wheat on the lower panels accompanied by a paschal lamb in the center — elements all relating to the Eucharist. Made by Fisher and Bird of New York City, the altar contains relics of five saints including St. John the Evangelist. The two carved adorning angels were added in 2010 and came from the former St. Francis DeSales Church in Utica. The current sacrificial table is the former pulpit from St. Francis DeSales.
4 Installed in 1906, the organ was made by local Utica firm, Barnes and Buhl. Mr. Buhl had learned the art of organ building in Germany. When completed, it was one of the largest organs in New York state, consisting of 40 ranks of pipes and 45 stops. The number of pipes is uncertain but is somewhere between 2,200 and 2,400. In 1980, it was partially restored and rebuilt by the Chase Organ Company of Worcester, NY.
5 The high pulpit was a gift from Nicolas Kernan in memory of his father, Senator Francis Kernan, who was from Utica and served as a U.S. senator from 1875 to 1881. He was the first Catholic senator from New York state. Dedicated on June 30, 1898, the pulpit is made of white Parian marble of the finest quality. The foundation is a group of columns of yellow Siena marble. In the center is a pillar of red Numidian marble. Four panels each contain an arch of fern fonds. The sides are separated by carvings of conventional fleur-de-lis while bands of the same ornament are at the top.
6 The top of the brass baptismal dome is surmounted by a figure of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. The baptismal font was a gift of John H. Sheehan and his wife in memory of their son, Robert. It was dedicated on October 5, 1895.
7 In the church basement are located these statues: St. Anne, the mother of Mary, with eyes made of glass; the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, which came from the second church, built before Historic Old St. John’s. Additionally, there is a statue of Our Lady of Fatima.
8 The hand-carved statue of Saint Mother Marianne Cope was placed in the sanctuary in 2012, honoring the saint who received her First Holy Communion and Confirmation at Historic Old St. John’s.
9 Saint Michael the Archangel is seen at the far left of this photo, followed by St. John the Evangelist, the church patron, pictured with an eagle. Since an eagle soars high above the earth, it is used as a symbol of St. John’s Gospel, which focuses on the Divinity of Jesus. Next is St. Mark, who appears with a lion because he begins his gospel with “the voice of one crying in the desert.” St. Luke’s statue displays an ox with him (not shown in the photo) since his Gospel begins with Zachariah offering a sacrifice to God.
What’s in a name? Confirmation names deeply personal for students
By Eileen Jevis
Each spring, the Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred upon students and adults throughout the diocese. It is a sign of sacramental maturity and completes the grace received in Baptism. As part of the ceremony, candidates choose a confirmation name to symbolize their new life in Christ and strengthen their relationship with God. Many choose the name of a particular saint as a way to honor them and ask for their guidance and protection.
The following young adults throughout the diocese shared with SOLIS what Confirmation name they chose and why:
Saint Homobonus:
Teddy Brosius, who was confirmed in May 2024, is a 10th grade student at Vestal High School and a parishioner at St. Vincent De Paul/Blessed Sacrament Church. He chose St. Homobonus, the patron saint of honesty, for his Confirmation name.
“Honesty is something I value,” he said, adding that the saint is also the patron saint of businessmen, which is what he plans to be after college.
St. Homobonus, born Omobono Tucenghi in 12th-century Cremona, Italy, is revered as the patron saint of businesspeople, tailors, shoemakers, and clothworkers. Known for his piety and generosity, he used his wealth to support the poor and the church, embodying the virtues of charity and humility.
Teddy Brosius, a parishioner at St. Vincent de Paul/Blessed Sacrament Church, poses with his brother, Julian, who was an altar server at the Confirmation Mass.
Saint Pauline:
Valda Lee, a parishioner at St. Vincent de Paul/Blessed Sacrament Church and a 10th grade student at Vestal High School, was confirmed in May 2024. She chose the name Pauline because it is her aunt’s middle name.
“My aunt has a very strong faith which has always inspired me and I hope to embody that one day,” Lee said.
St. Pauline, also known as St. Paulina of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus, was a Roman Catholic saint and mystic who lived in the 19th century. She was known for her deep devotion to Jesus and her exceptional charity toward others. She was also known for her mystical experiences, which included visions, locutions, and other supernatural phenomena. Pauline Visintainer, along with St. Josemaria Escriva, are the patron saints of diabetes. They suffered from diabetes in their life, so they know how to carry the cross of the illness.
Saint Perpetua:
Alyssa White worships at St. Augustine Church in Baldwinsville and attends C. W. Baker High School. She is now a senior and was confirmed in 2023. Alyssa chose to honor St. Perpetua because she inspires young women to pursue their faith despite pressure from societal norms.
ships in her life that eventually led to her being martyred. “Also,” Alyssa said, “my grandmother was named after her and she is the biggest inspiration in my life and holds the earliest memories of me going to church.”
Alyssa said the Confirmation process taught her about the importance of being active in the church community at a young age. “Confirmation opened the doors for me as a catechist, which has been a blessing,” she said. “The process of sacramental preparation has given me the confidence to share my religion with others.”
St. Perpetua was a martyr who died for her faith around the year 203. She was a young, well-educated, noblewoman, and mother living in the city of Carthage in North Africa. Her mother was a Christian and her father was a pagan. Perpetua followed the example of her mother and at the age of 22, she was imprisoned for her faith. While in prison, she continued to care for her infant child and although tortured, she would not renounce her faith. Saint Perpetua was executed in the Roman amphitheater.
Saint Padre Pio:
Ethan Millard is a parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Baldwinsville and a junior at C.W. Baker High School. In youth group, Ethan learned about the four primary traits of temperament — sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric, and melancholic. After taking a test on personality traits, Ethan said his traits included melancholic and partially choleric.
“I sought to find a saint who matched my temperament; someone I could relate to and use as a spiritual role model,” Ethan said.
When he read about St. Padre Pio, he said he recognized the saint’s “thoughtful and independent nature
Alyssa White, a parishioner at St. Augustine Church in Baldwinsville, was confirmed in 2023.
reflected in his life of deep prayer. Those characteristics aligned with my melancholic temperament, along with his ambitious and passionate lifestyle as shown by his 19hour workdays.”
Ethan said his understanding of God and Church was deepened during his preparation for Confirmation and he now embraces a life guided by the Holy Spirit. “Some of the key things I learned,” he said, “were about the importance of the sacraments and the role of the Holy Spirit in strengthening our faith and moral principles. We were also taught how to live a faithful life through prayer and our responsibilities as followers of Christ.”
St. Padre Pio was a 20th-century saint known for his work with the poor and his great piety and humility. He received many spiritual gifts, including the gifts of bilocation (the ability to be in two places at the same time), the reading of souls, and the stigmata. Many miracles are attributed to him both during his life and after his death.
Virgin Mary, Mother of God:
It was an easy decision for Jane Albertina to choose Mary as a way to honor the Blessed Mother. Jane, a junior at Oneida High School, is a parishioner at Spirit of Hope Catholic Community. She was confirmed in November 2024.
“St. Mary is an important figure in Catholicism as the mother of Jesus Christ. Her story spoke to me because of her unwavering and unconditional love for God, even when she was faced with adversity,” Jane said.
In preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, Jane said she learned that faith isn’t always easy and it’s ok not to be perfect. “I learned that even when we have doubts and are struggling with our faith, God will always prevail and be there for us,” she explained. “Faith formation classes were a great way to join with others who have similar questions and to be able to talk about our faith and relationship with God.”
The Virgin Mary is the most widely recognized and venerated saint in all of Catholic tradition. Known as the patroness of all humanity, she is a model, and an intercessor for all God’s people.
Saint Sebastian:
Josie Capotosto is also a parishioner at Spirit of Hope Parish and attends Oneida High School. Josie, an 11th grader, was confirmed in September 2024. She chose Sebastian, the patron saint of athletes, as a way to honor her commitment to running.
“St. Sebastian is known for his physical and spiritual strength,” said Josie. “He is a symbol of strength in the face of persecution and dealt with his suffering with grace and courage.”
Josie said Confirmation preparation taught her the importance of understanding her relationship with God and her responsibilities as a member of the Catholic
Ethan Millard, a parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Baldwinsville, chose St. Padro Pio for his Confirmation name in 2024.
Jane Albertina (far right) a parishioner at Spirit of Hope Parish, poses with Bishop Emeritus Robert J. Cunningham and other students after being confirmed in 2024.
Josie Capotosto, a parishioner of Spirit of Hope Parish, poses with photos of her Baptism and First Communion. Josie was confirmed in 2024.
faith. “It is critical to practice my faith and assist my community and church with service, grace, and compassion.”
St. Sebastian is believed to have been martyred during the persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor, Diocletian. He is a patron saint of archers and athletes and of those who desire a saintly death. He was also venerated as a protector from the Bubonic Plague and as a patron of plague victims.
St. Jude Thaddeus:
Ean Ocascio chose Jude as his confirmed name. A member of Holy Trinity Parish in Fulton, he was confirmed in spring 2024.
“I chose St. Jude because I pray a lot and he answers your prayers,” Ean said. “St. Jude was close to Jesus. He was Jesus’ cousin and one of the 12 apostles. He is the patron saint of hope and impossible causes.”
St. Jude, also known as Thaddeus, is believed to have written the Letter of Jude, one of the shortest books of the Bible, and is thought to have been martyred in Beirut around 65 A.D. Although Jude is not mentioned much in the Bible and only had one quote attributed to him in the Gospel of John (14:22), his popularity stems from his patronage of lost causes. He preached the Gospel with great passion, often in the most difficult circumstances. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, he made profound differences in people’s lives as he offered them the Word of God. An experience Jude had while in the city of Edessa is said to be the reason why he is associated with “impossible” situations.
Saints: Who’s Who?
1. Who is the patron saint of television writers and inspired Mother Angelica to start what we know now as EWTN?
2. Which saint was a twin and had a total of 24 siblings?
3. Who challenged Muslim Sultan al-Kamil to a trial by fire?
4. Which saint was ultimately elected pope in 236 A.D. when he was on vacation in Rome and a dove flew into a crowd and landed on his head?
5. Which saint was born a Roman citizen in Britain and was captured by Irish pirates and held as a slave for six years in Ireland?
6. Who was a very short saint, standing at only four and a half feet when she was 14 years old?
7. Who is the patron saint of pandemics?
8. Which saint miraculously cured a young boy who was choking on a fish bone?
9. Who is the patron saint of gardeners?
10. Which saint brought a jar of fragrant ointment to Jesus’ tomb and is now the patron saint of perfumery? ANSWERS
Saint Fiacre 10) Saint Mary Magdalene
Saint Bernadette 7) Saint Edmund the Martyr 8) Saint Blaise
Saint Francis of Assisi 4) Saint Fabian 5) Saint Patrick
Saint Clare of Assisi 2) Saint Catherine of Siena
Lackawana Our Lady of Victory Shrine and Basilica
The Saint Marianne Cope Shrine & Museum
Saint Marianne spent her early years in Central New York where she served as a leader in education and healthcare. She was instrumental in opening two of the first Catholic hospitals in Central New York: St. Elizabeth in Utica and St. Joseph’s in Syracuse. In 1883, Mother Marianne and a group of six other Sisters of St. Francis traveled to Hawaii to care for individuals believed to have leprosy (now known as Hansen’s Disease). As servants of God, she and other Franciscan sisters devoted 35 years caring for those afflicted with Hansen’s disease on Kalaupapa, Molokai, Hawaii. Saint Marianne was canonized on Oct. 21, 2012. She is the first Franciscan woman from North America to be canonized and only the 11th American saint. Located in Syracuse, the museum and shrine educate and inspire visitors on the life of this local saint. saintmarianne.org
Lewiston Basilica of the National Our Lady of Fatima Shrine
The Saint Marianne Cope Shrine & Museum; CNY Marian Center; The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Edmeston Rosa Mystica House of Prayer
Middletown National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Fonda Saint Kateri Tekakwitha National Shrine Auriesville/Fultonville Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs
The CNY Marian Center
The CNY Marian Center is located on West Taft Road in Syracuse. Dr. Pat Iannolo founded the Marian Center after a 1990 trip that he took to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, where he had a “locution from the Blessed Mother to found and build it.” In its founding, Iannolo said the center was following a teaching of St. Louis-Marie de Montfort, “that you could come to Jesus through Mary.” In the chapel, visitors can view First Class relics of St. Andrew Avellino, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Vincent Ferrer, and St. Anthony of Padua as well as Second and Third Class relics of Blessed Anna Maria Taigi and Luisa Piccarreta. In 2022, The Catholic Sun published a two-part story on the history of the Marian Center and the reasons that prompted Dr. Iannolo to build the shrine. cnymariancenter.com
The Pilgrim Rosary of Medjugorje is made of stones that were picked up from along the path of Apparition Hill, where the Blessed Virgin Mary has been reported to appear for 43 years.
The St. Marianne Cope Museum is located next to St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse. In 1869, St. Marianne became a founding leader of the hospital.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Sacred Heart Church was founded in 1892 by the Rev. Anthony F. Kolaszewski. The original church was a framed two-story structure on Park Avenue in Syracuse. As the number of parishioners grew, Father Francis Rusin (1896-1939) raised funds to build a larger church. The cornerstone was blessed on Oct. 20, 1907, and the current gothic-style church, which holds 1,000 people, was completed in 1910.
In October 1999, Sacred Heart Parish was designated as a minor Basilica — a special papal recognition for churches that have played an important role in the proclamation of the Gospel message in liturgy and the life of its members.
While not designated as a shrine, the Basilica houses many holy relics including St. Marianne Cope, St. John Paul II, St. Faustina Kowalska, St. Andrew Bobola, and St. Stanislaus Kostka, to name a few. Recently, First Class relics of the Blessed Ulma Family were installed at the Basilica. A First Class relic is a body part of a saint, such as bone, blood, or flesh. Second Class relics are possessions that a saint owned, and Third Class relics are objects that have been placed on a First or Second Class relic. sacredheartbasilicasyr.org/history
Rosa Mystica House of Prayer
Rosa Mystica House of Prayer is nestled in the foothills of Upstate New York in Edmeston, south of Utica. It is one of the Catholic Church’s bestkept devotional secrets. Since 1975, the retreat grounds have served as a place of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, all while sharing a special message from Our Blessed Mother. The Rosa Mystica House of Prayer offers 70 acres of spiritual sanctuary and is home to multiple chapels, grottoes, statues, and the St. Maria Goretti Relic Museum, which holds over 100 relics authenticated by the Catholic Church. rosamysticaofamerica.org
The Saint Kateri Tekakwitha National Shrine
The Saint Kateri Tekakwitha National Shrine is dedicated to our first Native American saint. St. Kateri, a Mohawk/Algonquin maiden known for her purity and charity, was born in Auriesville in 1656. She was baptized and lived most of her life on the grounds located just outside the village of Fonda, which is in the town of Mohawk and west of Amsterdam.
St. Kateri lived a life of martyrdom and persecution by the non-Christian members of her family and tribe. She died of natural causes in Canada in 1680, having remained steadfast in the Catholic faith, and was canonized in 2012.
The shrine encourages environmental stewardship and facilitates peace for all people by offering natural, cultural, and spiritual renewal. The main grounds feature Saint Peter’s Chapel, museum exhibits of Native American culture and history; the Saint Maximilian Kolbe Pavilion; a Candle Chapel dedicated to Saint Kateri, a gift shop, and hiking trails. katerishrine.org
The sanctuary of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
One of the many beautiful prayer sites dotting the Rosa Mystica landscape
5 CHARLES WAINWRIGHT, PHTOGRAPHY
The Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs
The Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs is located in the hamlet of Auriesville. Once the 17th-century Mohawk Village of Ossernenon, it is now a Roman Catholic shrine dedicated to three Jesuit missionaries who were killed during the 1640s for their faith. Father Isaac Jogues and two lay Jesuits, René Goupil and John Lalande, traveled from France to the New World to evangelize the Indigenous peoples. They, along with five Jesuit priests martyred in Canada, were canonized in 1930 as the eight North American Martyrs. They are the first and only martyred saints of North America. ourladyofmartyrsshrine.org
Basilica of the National Our Lady of Fatima Shrine
Basilica of the National Our Lady of Fatima Shrine is located in the Niagara River region of Western New York. The magnificence and natural beauty of the shrine are highlighted by an awe-inspiring dome basilica covered with two layers of glass and Plexiglas, with a contour of the Northern Hemisphere of the globe. When approaching the Basilica, guests will encounter the Avenue of the Saints, with over 130 life-size marble and bronze statues representing saints from every race and walk of life, as well as the Rosary Pool.
The granite statue of Our Lady of Fatima stands at the top of the dome and is 13 feet high and weighs 10 tons. The Fatima Gift and Book Shop offers a large selection of nativity sets (including Fontanini), crucifixes, Rosaries, Catholic jewelry, and much more.
fatimashrine.com
National Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha in Fonda. Kateri was the first Native American saint.
Praying children statues at the Shrine of Our Lady Of Martyrs in Auriesville
One of the life size statues in the outdoor cathedral at the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima in Lewiston
Our Lady of Victory Shrine and Basilica
Our Lady of Victory Shrine and Basilica is located in Lackawanna, just south of the city of Buffalo. The Basilica, completed in 1926, is constructed of 46 different types and colors of Italian marble. The focal point of the altar is a nine-foot marble statue of the Blessed Mother, which was personally blessed by Pope Pius XI before being shipped to the United States. Perhaps the most prominent feature of the Basilica’s exterior is its huge copper dome, measuring 165 feet in height and 80 feet in diameter.
Father Nelson Baker was ordained a diocesan priest in March 1876. He served as assistant at the Limestone Hill Institutions in Lackawanna, which included an orphanage, a boy’s protectory, and a small parish. He was called to return to Lackawanna to take over the charitable organization that would become Our Lady of Victory Institutions. During his ministry, Father Baker built OLV National Shrine & Basilica, which was consecrated and designated a minor Basilica by Pope Pius XI in 1926. He continued his outreach to those in need in the surrounding region until his death on July 29, 1936. In 1987, Father Baker’s cause for canonization began when he was named a “Servant of God” by the Vatican. On January 14, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI named him Venerable Nelson Baker. His remains are entombed at the Basilica. olvbasilica.org
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, located in the mid-Hudson region of New York state, was founded to encourage and perpetuate devotion to Mary and her scapular under the special title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The shrine is open seven days a week. All pilgrims are welcome at the shrine. Visit the Carmelite gift store, relax in the picnic grove, or stroll along trails bordered by lakes and enhanced by a Cloister Walk with Carmelite Stations of the Cross and outdoor shrines. ourladyofmtcarmelshrine.com
Interior of Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica in Lackawanna
An angel in the moonlight outside the cemetery at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown
Well Versed
Sister Laura Bufano, CSJ currently serves the Diocese of Syracuse as Vicar for Pastoral Leadership. A Syracuse native, she became a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1968 and since then has served the people of God in a wide variety of capacities, from music educator and pastoral associate to administrative leadership positions, both within her religious community and the diocese. Somehow, amidst her scheduled diocesan responsibilities and participation on a number of boards and committees, Sister Laura finds time to explore her creative side through writing poetry. She is part of a Syracuse-area poetry group that regularly meets to write and share poetry as a spiritual practice. SOLIS will be publishing more of Sister Laura’s poems in future editions.
“From the rising of the sun to its setting, let the name of the Lord be praised.” (Psalm 113:3)
Dawn to Dusk and Beyond
From the rising of the sun to its setting Have you noticed? I am with you.
In the stillness of morning, I call your name. Do you hear my voice? Listen with the ear of your heart.
In the warmth of midday, I wrap you in a mantle of joy. Can you feel my embrace? Open wide your heart.
In the coolness of evening, I offer you refreshment. Do you taste my sweetness? Drink deeply.
In the darkness of night, I give you safe harbor. Trust me. Let me lead you to the light.
Laura Bufano, CSJ October 17, 2023 How to meet a day.
Know Your Faith
Women of the Bible: ‘You are God who sees me’
By Renée Romance
The stories of our female ancestors took place long ago, yet they still hold relevance and meaning in our lives today. We can imagine what they might have thought or felt, and draw strength and guidance from their faith and discernment as we face our own trials and tribulations in the modern day.
When we think of women in the Bible, our Blessed Mother is most likely the first to come to mind. Her faith provides an example for all of us.
“Mary was the one who said ‘yes’ to the angel,” said Father Ben Schrantz, parochial vicar of the Baldwinsville parishes. “She gave herself over to the will of God, allowing the Spirit to work in and through her in ways she did not fully comprehend. But through her ‘yes,’ she brought Jesus into the world. She brought the ultimate expression and source of love into the world — a love that we are all able to participate in. A love that changed the world.
“In our own lives, we face times of uncertainty and doubt,” he continued. “But we can look to Mary for the confidence to say ‘yes.’ When we say ‘yes’ to God, allowing him to work in and through us, allowing him to have total control and us [to have] ultimate surrender — we can allow great things to happen. Things which we might not fully understand or comprehend at first, or at all, but things which can change the world.”
Many great women in both the Old and New Testaments play vital roles in God’s plan, often serving as progenitors of His promise fulfilled for His people. These women may not always have the loudest voices, but their stories, experiences, decisions, and sacrifices convey profound messages about our faith that we can rely on even in today’s world.
“I think the women of the Bible are often downplayed, they are not paid attention to,” said Fr. Ben. “I do not think it is intentional; I think it’s just how the story is written. The historical narrative was often seen through the lens of ‘male.’ Women had a role to play — an important role to play, as seen in all the examples of women in the Bible — but their role in the narrative was seen as supporting the larger narrative.”
Hagar
Hagar, from the Book of Genesis, is one of Fr. Ben’s favorite women in the Bible because she is an example of how God sees each one of us.
As the Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, the wife of Abraham, Hagar is forced by Sarah to conceive a son with Abraham to produce an heir that Sarah cannot. Consequently, Hagar suffers the repercussions of Sarah’s interference in God’s plan. Twice, Hagar finds herself in crisis. Both times, the angel of the Lord appears to her, comforts her, and saves her as well as her son, Ishmael.
The first time the angel appears, Hagar, overwhelmed by the fact that the Lord is speaking to a slave such as herself, says, “You are God who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13)
The story of Hagar shows how “God works through all people,” Fr. Ben said. “He’s there caring for all people, even when it seems like it’s a hopeless cause. Even when everything is falling down all around us, he’s still there taking care of us.”
Everybody, at some point in their lives, feels lost, broken, and with nowhere to turn. Hagar was ready to
“The Banishment of Hagar” by Johann Friedrich Overbeck (1839–41) from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open Access Collection
give up, too. “But then God came in and saved her,” Fr. Ben said. “I think that’s a lot of our stories today. We don’t know where we are going, we don’t know what the big picture is, so we just want to throw it all in, but God is always there with us.”
Ruth
Michelle Kirk, a parishioner at St. Mary’s of the Assumption in Baldwinsville, was inspired by a movie about Ruth, the Moabite daughterinlaw of the Israelite Naomi. Michelle said she was touched by the loyalty, sacrifice, and generosity of the people in the story.
Found in the Old Testament, the Book of Ruth highlights these two women, both widowed. When Naomi decides to return to Judah, she encourages Ruth to return to her family. Ruth refuses: she loves Naomi and abandoning her is not an option.
“Wherever you go, I will go, wherever you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God, my God.” (Ruth 1:1617)
Ruth’s story is a story of love. Her love for Naomi takes her to a foreign country where she works to provide for them both. “Sometimes, when we are focused on somebody else, we can go to almost another level of generosity and self sacrifice,” said Michelle, a lesson she said she learned from this Biblical book.
Because of Ruth’s kindness and hard work, she is noticed by Boaz, a wealthy landowner, and they marry. They have a son, Obed, who becomes the father of Jesse, who becomes the father of David.
“Who would have thought that this foreign woman would be in the lineage of the Messiah?” she said, amazed by the turn of events. “Something so beyond what we
could ask for or imagine. That is what God is capable of doing if we trust and do the next right thing.
“In this day and age, especially when we have trials, we feel very much alone. It’s just such an inspiring story of God’s faithfulness,” Michelle added.
Whether we aspire to say “yes” to God like the Blessed Mother did, find ourselves turning to God during crises like Hagar’s struggles, or find inspiration in Ruth’s selflessness, the impact of the women we find in the Bible is still felt in our hearts today.
Reflecting on the meaning of each Biblical woman’s story, Fr. Ben shared, “There is so much we can learn from them.”
“Ruth and Naomi. The story of Ruth.” London: Frederick Warne & Co., (1872) Camden Press
Michelle Kirk
The Newman Center: A spiritual home for Catholic students
‘Different backgrounds but a common sense of faith and love’
By Eileen Jevis
When young Catholics go off to college, many take with them the spiritual lessons learned in childhood. Newman Centers on campuses throughout the Syracuse Diocese provide more than a place to worship as students explore their new sense of freedom. It is here they find a welcoming community, shared values, leadership opportunities, and a safe haven as they navigate the unfamiliar terrain of life away from home.
Leaning on Christ during difficulties
Marcellus native Ryan Lundrigan is in his final year at SUNY Binghamton. He spent most of his life surrounded by his three siblings. He said the Newman House community fills the family void for him while he is away at school. “Just like my family, my friends at Newman are there for me no matter what,” he said. “The counterculture aspects of faith at a large school can feel isolating.” Lundrigan said that at a time in his life when he and others are grappling with life’s biggest questions, having a group of friends who know what you’re feeling and will walk in faith with you is essential.
“College age is usually when a kid who grew up Catholic decides to either claim the faith as their own or walk away,” Lundrigan said. “Over the course of my time in college, I have wandered and strayed, handled relationships poorly, and have made plenty of mistakes. But all of this created room for deep conversation. It led me to a place where I was forced to seek answers, relearn, and accept as my own the truth of my faith.”
Alessandra Barlas, a Syracuse University senior from Long Island, said that SU’s Newman Center provides a welcoming spirit and a safe place for students to explore their faith and integrate the teachings of the Gospel into their lives. “Scripture brings fulfillment to my life and helps me bring the light and love of God to others,” Barlas said. “Jesus found me in the darkness and has patiently walked with me as I learned to carry my cross. He has made the burdens in my life lighter to carry, and my faith is now a source of joy and hope. My heart that was once full of shame and sorrow has been transformed into one filled with love and mercy.”
Ronald Parrillo III also found a spiritual haven at Syracuse University. “The Catholic Center helps foster a sense of community by bringing together students from
“Having faith in God is the motivating factor to being a good human. My strong faith keeps me connected to those who came before us.
I am
walking in the footsteps of my grandparents and great-grandparents who practiced the same faith. It keeps them close to
me and is a way to honor them.”
KAITLYN MCMANUS, SUNY CORTLAND
different backgrounds with a common sense of faith and love,” said the Rhode Island native. Missing his family was inevitable, but the Newman Center’s Father Gerry Waterman has offered him guidance and, at times, a shoulder to lean on. “Whether it be for a laugh, advice, or spiritual guidance, he has helped me grow not just as a student but also as a young man of faith. And faith is the basis of my existence.”
Queens native and SUNY Cortland student Kaitlyn McManus agreed. “Having the Newman Center on campus is a safe space, a place we can go and feel connected to God and others in the campus community.” McManus said that surrounding herself with fellow students who are Catholic
Students showcase the offerings of the Newman Center at Binghamton University during a fall event welcoming new students.
On a Thursday each month, Syracuse University students gather to make between 600-700 sandwiches to donate to the Assumption Food Pantry.
Students at SUNY Oswego know they are always welcome at the Monday evening dinners that take place at Hall Newman Center. The mission of the center is to nurture body and soul to this vibrant Christian community.
helps with homesickness and isolation. Her Catholic upbringing and having God as a focus in her life creates a healthy mindset, she said, and living in His image helps her make positive changes in her life.
“Having faith in God is the motivating factor to being a good human,” she said. “My strong faith keeps me connected to those who came before us. I am walking in the footsteps of my grandparents and great grandparents who practiced the same faith. It keeps them close to me and is a way to honor them.”
It’s the morning service projects that help Donato Brogna, of Queens, get started on the right foot each Saturday. A member of the Newman Community at SUNY Binghamton, the joy and productivity he receives from participating stays with him all day. “My time here has helped me realize that God does have a plan set out for me with the amazing people that are part of the Newman Center,” he said. “I’m privileged to be part of a community focused on hospitality. The Center not only strengthens my faith but provides for my social wellbeing.”
Making God a priority
College experience provides new ideas, broader viewpoints, marketable credentials, and friends that last a lifetime. For those students who participate in Newman Centers across the diocese and beyond, it’s also an opportunity for spiritual growth, cementing their beliefs, and continuing their relationship with God.
“The Newman Center is a place where I can step back from the chaos and excitement of college and take a breather,” said Greta Swanson, a native of Rockland
County and a freshman at SUNY Oswego. Swanson said she discovered the Newman Center during her first week at college and found it comforting to have a faithbased organization in a place far from home. “The community was very welcoming and definitely eased my transition during my first semester,” she explained. “It’s important to me to continue my faith. It keeps me grounded, and it’s part of who I am.” Her strong Catholic foundation makes her grateful to be able to attend Sunday Mass. “It’s definitely tricky to fit in other events and activities organized by the Newman Center,” Swanson points out, “but because it’s important to me, I prioritize those events with other obligations I have.”
Newman Club students at SUNY Cortland strengthen their friendships while snow tubing at a local ski resort.
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McManus also prioritizes her faith. “I don’t think finding time for Mass and service projects is as difficult as some may think,” she said. “It’s just a matter of making God a priority in your life. Even as a college student juggling classes, homework, a job, and maintaining friendships, there is still some free time. It’s just a matter of choosing to go to Mass or watch a movie; volunteering or going shopping. While those activities may be fulfilling in that moment, long term, making time for God is much more fulfilling and will leave you feeling emotionally and spiritually healthier.”
Jack Rose, the student engagement coordinator for campus ministry at Syracuse University, said the energy and love he receives at the Newman Center is like lightning in a bottle. “The community experience here is unlike anything I’ve encountered before and it will probably be hard to find again once my time at SU is up,” he said. “The Catholic Center is my college home and when I go to Mass or a community meal, there is a palpable, contagious energy of hope and love that always leaves me refreshed.”
Lundrigan shared additional thoughts on being a member of the Catholic community at SUNY Binghamton: “My experience at the Newman Center led me to encounter Christ, His mercy, and His love in a way I could never have imagined. It is so incredibly important to continue to strengthen my faith because I see so clearly that our loving God is ‘swimming against the stream’ of the world,” he asserted. “At every turn there is resistance when seeking Christ, resistance when trying to find the truth. So, when all the students gather on Sunday
evening for Mass, I know we are there because we chose Christ. And that makes all the difference in the world. We are there because we know that perseverance and grace is the only way home. For those parents whose kids are struggling or lost, never give up hope.”
Newman Centers — Backstory
Newman Centers, or Catholic campus ministries at secular universities and colleges, are named after the 19th-century London-born Saint John Henry Newman. Originally an Anglican priest, the English Roman Catholic convert later became a cardinal. He was known as a popular preacher, theologian, historian, writer, and poet. In fact, it was Newman’s writings that inspired the Centers.
The first Newman Center outside of the United Kingdom was established in 1893 at the University of Pennsylvania. After the Second Vatican Council, Newman Centers were placed under the care of the Catholic Campus Ministry Association. Today, more than 2,000 exist on campuses across the United States. The Centers provide students with a place to practice their faith, build community, and grow both intellectually and spiritually.
One of the Saint’s most famous quotes is: “Growth is the only evidence of life.” He was canonized on October 19, 2019.
SU students and Catholic Center staff kick off the year at an annual retreat.
No small task Parish life directors keep communities alive and thriving
By Tami S. Scott and Dc. Tom Cuskey
There’s no debate that parishioners want — and expect — a priestpastor assigned to their church. A priest provides spiritual stability, fosters strong community bonds, offers leadership and emotional comfort, and ensures liturgical consistency.
However, dioceses sometimes face a shortage of priests available to serve as pastors or administrators. In such cases, the bishop may appoint a deacon, religious, or layperson in accordance with canon law (Canon 517.2), to lead and officially administer a parish. This is where parish life directors (PLDs) come in. While they do not administer the sacraments, they can — and do — lead and manage parishes in the absence of a resident priestpastor.
The PLD serves in collaboration with a canonically appointed pastor, assisting priests and parish staff. In the Diocese of Syracuse, ordinarily, the vicar forane is designated as the canonical pastor. The PLD collaborates regularly with the canonical pastor and apprises him of any special situations, emergencies, or pressing needs of the parish.
Currently, in our diocese, we have five dedicated individuals who have answered God’s call to serve as PLDs: Barbara Kane, Deacon Tom Picciano, Kathy Poupart, Deacon Bob Street, and Mary Wentlent.
A groundbreaking presence
Barbara Kane has been serving as a PLD since 2014, becoming the first in the diocese to be appointed to this role. She leads the Catholic Communities of Eastern Broome County, which include Our Lady of Lourdes (Windsor), St. Joseph (Deposit), St. Joseph (Sanitaria Springs), and St. Mary (Kirkwood).
“They were left without a pastor,” she recalled. “Monsignor John Putano, who had many responsibilities, was trying to care for the parish. They explored various staffing options and eventually landed on me.”
When initially approached about the position, her first thought was no. “But you know how that works — God doesn’t let you sleep,” she said with a laugh. After a month of discernment, she accepted. Now, she says with certainty, “It’s been a tremendous blessing, and I feel God has prepared me for this in many ways over the years.” Her first years weren’t without challenges. Parishioners weren’t thrilled at first. “They were surprised,” she
Barbara Kane became a parish life director in 2014; she was the first in the diocese to hold that position.
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said. “But at that point, they had gone almost two years without a priest on site.” Some would ask when a priest would be assigned or even remind her that she wasn’t a priest. She took it in stride. “Change is hard. As Catholics — at least my generation — we’re programmed to have a priest in charge of a parish.”
For a time, three priests alternated celebrating Mass and sacraments, bringing a welcome sense of continuity. Currently, visiting priests rotate each week. To provide stability, Kane remains a strong pastoral presence, ensuring parishioners have someone to turn to for guidance, faithsharing, and leadership.
A call within a call
Deacon Bob Street has been part of St. Ann’s in Manlius since childhood. He once worked there as a custodial engineer, mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms. He would sit in the back of the church, wondering if religious life was for him. The call didn’t come then — it came later, after college, marriage, and raising two children.
Ordained a permanent deacon in 2014, he remained at St. Ann’s, serving alongside Father Brian Lang. In 2023, Bishop Douglas J. Lucia called him with unexpected news: Father Lang was being reassigned to Skaneateles, leaving St. Ann’s without a priest. Would Deacon Bob take on the role of interim parish life director?
“The first thing I told him was, ‘I can’t say yes until I talk to my wife.’” After prayerful consideration, he agreed — not because he sought the position, but because he wanted to serve the people of St. Ann’s.
With guidance from diocesan Vicar for Pastoral Leadership Sister Laura Bufano, CSJ, Deacon Bob earned a Certificate in Church Management from the Center for Church Management at Villanova University. “I highly recommend it for anyone in a leadership role,” he said, noting it provides excellent preparation for managing church property and spiritual needs.
He was fortunate to have Father Malachi Clark and
Kathy Poupart is surrounded by members of the First Communion class at the Baptismal Font. They are holding pictures of various saints as they learn about holiness.
retired priest Father Michael Carmola for sacramental coverage. However, when Father Clark was reassigned, St. Ann’s was once again shorthanded.
“Thank God for the Jesuits,” he said. “The priests from Le Moyne really stepped up to help us through this time.”
Last July, Father Cliff Auth was assigned to both Immaculate Conception in Fayetteville and St. Ann’s. He asked Deacon Bob to continue to serve as parish life director through this time of transition and change. “I’ll stay as long as he needs me — to keep things moving forward and do whatever he needs.”
A diaconal difference
Deacon Bob and fellow PLD Deacon Tom Picciano bring a sacramental presence to their parishes. Permanent deacons can officiate at Baptisms, funeral services, and witness marriages when they are celebrated outside of Mass. Lay PLDs must arrange for a priest or deacon for these sacraments.
Deacon Tom’s formation journey began in 1999, and he has served in several parishes over his 18 years since ordination.
“In 2013, I was appointed pastoral care associate at St. Vincent de Paul and Blessed Sacrament in Vestal,” he said. At the same time, he cared for his mother, who had dementia. He also played an unexpected role: chauffeur for Christ. “I drove retired priests who couldn’t drive to various churches for Mass,” he said.
One day, Monsignor Putano, then the Vicar for the Southern Region, called — not for a ride, but with an invitation. “We [Msgr. Putano and Bishop Lucia] were wondering if you’d like to go to Bainbridge?”
He visited the parish and fell in love with it. His mother encouraged him: “Do it!”
Soon after accepting the appointment as PLD, Covid19 shut everything down. His mother passed away (not from Covid), and by June 1, his appointment became official.
“I didn’t get to see people’s faces for many, many months,” he said. “Of course, there were some people who were concerned by [Covid] regulations, some were turned off by what I had to enforce. It became quite a challenge.”
During lockdowns, he provided remote parish activities and turned his porch into a pastoral office — a space for socially distanced conversations. “Even now, people ask if a priest will be assigned,” he said. “They wish they had one, but we work hard to ensure they have a priest almost every Sunday.”
The ‘sunshine’ that brought her back
In Chenango County, Mary Wentlent serves as PLD for Immaculate Conception in Greene. Raised in a Christian home, she converted to Catholicism after marriage.
Initially, she served as the parish’s music director for 10 years but left due to a difficult environment. She returned after Father Charles Currie became pastor, describing him as “a dose of sunshine this parish needed.”
When he retired, she was hired as parish manager and in August 2022 was appointed by Bishop Lucia as a PLD. Under her leadership, ministry teams flourished, and parish participation grew.
“We have over 65 percent of members actively involved,” she said. “We just started a young adult group and hired a youth director — I’m super excited about that!”
Her husband is her greatest support. “He teaches Confirmation. He’s a selfappointed greeter. He likes to make sure the garbage is taken out. All those little things,” she said with a smile.
Just following the plan
Kathy Poupart, PLD at St. PatrickSt. Anthony in Chadwicks, has a theology degree from Le Moyne and years of experience in parishes, nonprofit management, and evangelization.
“They have been very accepting of me,” she said. “I do think I had the benefit of three years of people getting to know me (as a pastoral associate) and I’m very grateful for that.”
Her role emphasizes presence. At the time she became a pastoral associate, she attended another parish in Utica. It became clear to her, however, that she needed to be present at St. PatrickSt. Anthony.
“People needed to know who I was and so I started coming here, and I stationed myself out in the vestibule so I [could] greet everybody as they’re coming through the door but also learn their names,” she said. “I’m still learning names, but they know who I am, and if they need something, they know who to go to, and they know how to get a hold of me. I see that as a primary responsibility of what I do: being present to the people.”
Despite changes in sacramental ministers over the years, she remains grateful for collaborating priests.
St. Paul wrote, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). As the Church evolves, the role of lay leadership, with the participation of permanent deacons, will likely increase, as will the prayers of the faithful for vocations as priests, deacons, religious, and, of course, parish life directors.
Barbara Kane summarized it best: “The faith is much, much larger than what any one of us does. God is greater and God is good, and [He] will provide.”
Mary Wentlent is pictured with Ava, a young parishioner, on the morning of her First Communion. She is showing Mary the banner she created with her family to go on the outside of her pew in the church.
WE ARE ALL GOD’S CHILDREN
By Tami S. Scott
The Diocese of Syracuse is a rich tapestry of ethnic and cultural diversity. Latino, Asian, and African faith communities include many immigrants and refugees from around the world who embrace their Catholic faith. Of course, we also celebrate and enjoy Italian, Polish, German, and Irish traditions, among others.
With gratitude and love, we share our heritage and customs with open minds and hearts. It’s expressed through festivals and gatherings, music and dance, native cuisine, and foremost, our love for the Lord.
We have assembled a collection of photos to give you a flavor of the food, faith, and fun that make our diocese a multicultural sanctuary.
CHARLES WAINWRIGHT
Share Your Faith
Above, right and on page 35:
During Most Holy Rosary School’s Black History Month celebration in Syracuse, the gymnasium came alive with people of all ages enjoying the rhythmic beats of African drums, vibrant dance performances, captivating storytelling, and the rich flavors of homemade soul food.
At right: The Latino community at St. Anthony of Padua in Syracuse celebrates the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a procession outside the church.
The Vietnamese Lunar New Year—known as Tét, short for Tét Nguyên Đán—began on January 29, following the Lunar Calendar. In Syracuse, celebrations for Vietnam’s most cherished holiday took place on the evening of February 1 at the Church of Our Lady of Pompei/ St. Peter. The following day, the faithful gathered for Mass. Many dressed in traditional garments, and several Lunar New Year customs were observed. The Vietnamese Catholic community in Onondaga County consists of approximately 700 families.
CHARLES WAINWRIGHT
CHARLES
CHARLES
Harpists provide a musical, liturgical setting for the annual St. Patrick's Day Mass celebrated by Bishop Douglas J. Lucia — who is not Irish but was born on March 17. It takes place at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception before the annual downtown parade.
Our Lady of Pompei Election Day Spaghetti Supper has been a tradition for over 75 years, attracting hundreds of people each year to share in the Italian food and festive fun.
CHARLES WAINWRIGHT
My brother, the altar server
TWO FRIENDS LEAD TOMORROW’S ALTAR SERVERS TOGETHER
By Elizabeth Landry
“Offer Jesus your hands, your thoughts and your time, and He will not fail to reward you, giving you true joy and making you feel where the most complete happiness is.”
—
Pope Francis
Growing up in Lyncourt and attending St. Daniel School and Church, I can remember looking up toward the altar during Mass and seeing my brother, Geoffrey Reck, kneeling off to the side, wearing his altar serving vestments. To my memory (being five years younger than him), he was always an altar server — along with many other kids in his class, including his good friend, Michael Bielak.
Over the years, I’ve looked up to my brother for guidance and advice on many things, and now that we’re adults and have families of our own, I’ve found myself admiring his faith and willingness to help his church community. I sat down with my brother and his longtime friend to discover how their involvement in the Altar Server Ministry has evolved since childhood.
Geoff and Mike have been leading the Altar Server Ministry at St. Rose of Lima Church in North Syracuse for about three years but, as I just shared, their friendship and connection to altar serving extends back much further.
Mike and his family lived a few blocks away from us in Lyncourt, and both Geoff and Mike became altar servers in the fourth and fifth grades, respectively, while attending St. Daniel Elementary School. Becoming altar servers during that time was encouraged and almost expected of children attending the school once they completed their sacraments, and it came with some perks, as they explained.
“You would get assigned for a week of Masses at a time, either for the weekday morning Masses or the noon Masses, so you got to dip out of classes or lunch. It was kind of a cool aspect,” Mike remembered.
When asked if, at first, they felt nervous about altar serving, their strongest memory of that time was more so the training they received from St. Daniel’s former associate pastor, Father Mark Gantley.
“I don’t remember being nervous, but I’m sure that I was at some point,” Geoff said. “I do remember how well we were trained, though. Father Gantley did a great job training us. I would say he inspired our current training ministry.”
Giving
time and service
Geoff and Mike served many Masses at St. Daniel’s during their time in school, and Mike also served as a sacristan there for several years. But, as sometimes happens with young adults, each went away from the
A group photo of the altar servers from the St. Daniel 19992000 yearbook, when Geoff and Mike were in sixth grade. Shown are Monsignor Yennock (top left), Michael Bielak (top, second from left), Geoffrey Reck (top, fourth from left) and Father Mark Gantley (top right).
Church for a little while but eventually returned. When each got married, settled in the North Syracuse area, and started their own families, they found their way to St. Rose and became involved with their new home church’s Altar Server Ministry.
Mike recalled how their involvement with the ministry at St. Rose began — and it was something they wanted to do together.
“I think Father Chris [Celentano] stopped me after church one day out on Main Street. We were just having a talk, and he said, ‘You know, do you want to get involved with altar serving? We need somebody to head that up.’ And he brought up Geoff’s name, so I remember texting Geoff right after — ‘Would you do altar serving with me?’”
“We also had thought, ‘Where could we help out in the parish and give some of our time?’” Geoff added. “I think we both wanted to give some time and service and also sort of take some of the stress off Fr. Celentano’s plate. I think [altar serving] was one thing we both kind of agreed on.”
Learning reverence and respect
Part of their responsibility in their current ministry is training the new altar servers within the parish. Their training strategies also have a connection to their roots at St. Daniel’s, as they are derived in part from materials they received from Fr. Gantley, as well as Father Christopher Seibt, who also grew up within the St. Daniel Parish community.
“I had reached out to Fr. Gantley and asked if he could send us his most recent training materials. He sent us a lot of material, probably about 40 pages. Fr. Seibt is very meticulous and organized so I had reached out to him, too, for some of his documents. We took materials from those two and incorporated them into what St. Rose was already doing and what we knew from our time at St. Daniel’s,” explained Mike.
Getting the training right was important to both Geoff and Mike, since they both feel strongly that altar serving is key for the Mass to be performed correctly.
“It’s really important that the Mass goes smoothly, from a reverence standpoint, and so the priest can focus on celebrating the Sacrifice of the Mass,” Mike explained. “Altar serving also elevates the Mass to the next level of reverence for special occasions, like during Holy Week and Holy Days of obligation.”
Perhaps just as importantly, altar serving allows children and young adults to get more involved in the Mass and develop skills they will carry throughout their lives.
“They learn why we do things the way we do them in the Mass. They get to have a deeper understanding of the Mass and probably have more respect for the Mass. [Altar serving] teaches the kids a lot about sacrifice and
obedience, that there’s a proper order in which you do things, and the importance of paying attention. We tell them the importance of being still and paying attention to the Mass when they’re in the sanctuary. Father may need them to do something they aren’t expecting, and sometimes they need to be resourceful. It really teaches them a lot of skills,” Geoff said.
Preparing for Holy Week Masses
Beyond training the new altar servers, Geoff and Mike also coordinate the details of how altar servers are involved in the Mass, especially for special Masses throughout the liturgical year. It’s in their dedicated preparation for Masses during Holy Week that their friendship truly shines through.
One might think when they get together to plan the altar servers’ procession during the Easter Vigil Mass that they’re watching film to prepare for a sporting event, but no, they’re watching the filmed Mass from the year prior, making sure they get all the details just right.
“Everything here is recorded on video, so we can pull up the recording of the Mass from last year when we’re trying to figure out this year’s Mass. We look at who we
Altar serving in the procession during a Mass at St. Rose.
Both Geoff and Mike answered Monsignor Yennock’s call to altar serve at weddings and funerals over the years. Shown here, each altar served at the Mass of Thanksgiving on June 13, 2021, which celebrated Monsignor’s 71 years of priesthood and retirement.
are going to assign to what role, knowing [the altar servers’] strengths and weaknesses,” Geoff said.
“We’ll put it on our calendars for our families — ‘Hey, Geoff’s coming over because we need to watch film on altar serving.’ And we watch Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, all those Masses, and we take notes,” said Mike.
“We spend an hour, sometimes longer, for those special Masses, because we’re pausing and talking, like, ‘Did you see this? This guy went this way and genuflected this way. Maybe we should do it differently this year. Maybe this would be better.’ There’s a lot of time that goes into it, especially during Holy Week,” Geoff explained further.
Serving as examples for the altar servers and as good friends to each other, the two display a splendid balance.
“I do think [this ministry] is kind of an extension of our friendship. I’m very vocal in the training and Geoff kind of keeps things in line. We’re both masters of ceremonies together, getting the kids where they need to be. It’s a good, well-balanced friendship,” Mike said.
Geoff added, “We do talk about how, when we’re retired, serving at funerals would be a cool thing to do.”
Passing the torch that leads to Christ
But for both, it comes down to helping instill in young people a sense of sacrifice and reverence for the Mass — something they learned in their own experience becom-
ing altar servers that they want to pass along in their ministry.
“I think if your goal is to lead people to Christ, to get young people involved at an early age, and get them thinking and paying attention during Mass,” said Geoff, “then getting them involved in altar serving is definitely a major way to do that.”
It certainly seems that altar serving in their youth played a part in Geoff and Mike’s spiritual journeys and helped lead them to stay involved in the church as adults, as well. It had an impact on me, too, watching my brother from the pew, and realizing that we each have a responsibility to set a faith-filled example for those in our lives.
Although a lot has changed since the days when the majority of kids attending Catholic schools became altar servers, the outlook of the ministry is still bright with leaders like Geoff and Mike at the helm.
“Our goal is to make sure that parents and kids are both aware of this ministry and that [the kids know] they can be a part of it,” Mike said. “We had a training a month or so ago and it sounded like the four or five kids were really excited about it. They actually brought altar serving up to their parents and told them they were interested in it. So, I really do feel positive about the future of the altar serving ministry.”
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Priests with pets
Fr. Michael Galuppi, pastor of the Church of St. Michael-St. Peter and Our Lady of Hope in Syracuse poses with his two cats. Father named them Basil and Gregory after Saint Basil, whose brother is St. Gregory of Nyssa, and whose best friend was St. Gregory of Nazianzus. The latter shares the same feast day of January 2 with St. Basil.
Fr. Chris Ballard with his two tabbies, Francis and Clare, on their adoption day in 2016. Fr. Ballard is the pastor at Spirit of
Father Ken Kirkman and his 6-year-old cat, Pumpernickel. Father is the pastor at St. Ambrose Church, St. Anthony of Padua Church and St. Joseph Church — all in Endicott.
Hope Parish in Oneida.
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