The Catholic Sun

09/08/2026

🙏Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise;
from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.✝

09/07/2026

Wishing all a happy and blessed Labor Day! 🇺🇸 Join us in prayer as we honor all workers today. 🙏

✝As the sun rises to bring in the new day:

We remember those who descend into the earth, their work begins in darkness, pulling from the earth, the resources we steward.

We remember those who work inside a building away from the light and brightness of the day.

We remember those who work outside in the harsh elements of our world, the bitter cold and sweltering heat of extremes.

We remember those who do not have a job to go to, who are struggling to meet the needs of their daily living expenses, for whom the day becomes long and arduous.

As the sun sets to bring in the evening of rest:

We remember those who work in the night.

We remember those who are trying to recover from their labor and toils of the day.

We remember those who participate in unsafe and dangerous work.

We pray for a renewed sense of dignity in their lives and in their work.

God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the worker. Make a place in our hearts for compassion to the men and women who labor tirelessly for basic necessities. Ensure a place for the men and women who are struggling to find work. Grant us your wisdom to greet and care for those who are unable to work due to illness or circumstances that prevent their participation. Be with the children who are not able to run and play, but instead must put in a hard day’s work to help their family afford to eat, to live. Be with us all, Christ Jesus, as we go about the busyness of our work. Hold us accountable not only for our actions, but most importantly to each of our neighbors. May we continue to work together to bring about your reign! We ask this in your holy name, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.🙏

(https://www.usccb.org/prayers/prayer-labor-day)

09/05/2026

👀Check out our recent story that gives a glimpse into the recent Parishes Picnic held by Holy Family and St. Marianne Cope parishes in Syracuse. Learn about how these parishes are working together to help strengthen their community of faith.

Read the full story here: https://thecatholicsun.com/2-parishes-3-churches-a-strong-community-of-faith/

09/02/2026

Beautiful!

What an incredible way to close out the month of August! ❤️🏠

Today, we celebrate our friend Michael, who received the keys to his very own apartment! 🔑

There’s nothing quite like watching someone who has been living on the streets finally turn the key and walk into a place they can call home.

A huge shout-out to Saoirse Murphy-Collins and Shelly Frank Dunham for the amazing work you did walking alongside Mike, navigating the system, advocating for him, and patiently waiting for Match Day to happen. Your dedication made a difference!

And now… look at Mike putting the keys into the door of his own place! 🙌

That’s what it’s all about.

Michael is our 487th friend to make it off the streets of Syracuse over the past 15 years. And you our supporters, donors, volunteers, and community partners were part of that journey.

Thank you for believing that people experiencing homelessness are not invisible.

487 lives changed. One person at a time. ❤️

09/02/2026

Join in praying for the care of water, Pope Leo XIV's prayer intention for the month of September. Here is Pope Leo's original prayer written specifically for this intention:

Lord of Life,
You have given us the gift of water,
source of fruitfulness, freshness, and hope.
It quenches thirst, nourishes the earth, and heals wounds.
We thank you,
because it is also a symbol of your grace and love
that renews us through baptism.
Today we ask you to teach us to safeguard it
with gratitude, justice, and responsibility.
Forgive us for turning it into a commodity,
forgetting that it is a universal gift,
a right without borders, meant for all your children.
We see with pain so many brothers and sisters
who lack clean water,
who walk for miles to find it,
who become ill due to its scarcity.
May your Spirit make us pilgrims of the essential,
able to live with simplicity,
denouncing waste and pollution,
defending the right of every brother and sister
to drink without fear and without inequality.
May our care for water
be a sign of love for the Creator
and a commitment to the lives of the poor,
educating new generations to value
and protect the Earth’s resources.
Amen. 🙏

09/01/2026

We're not sure why, but on random days lately, we've seen flowers placed in front of our entrance. 🌺🌼🌺🌼🌹🌹🌷🌷 What — or who could be the reason? Regardless, it's a bright way to start a day. Thank you! 🙏

08/31/2026

Season of Creation 2026 begins Sept. 1 🌎💧

Join the Diocese of Syracuse as we begin the Season of Creation 2026 with Mass celebrated by Bishop Douglas J. Lucia at noon tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 1, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

From Sept. 1 through Oct. 4, Christians around the world unite in prayer and action to care for God’s creation — our common home.

This year’s theme, “Living Water,” draws inspiration from Ezekiel 47:9, 12 and the vision of water flowing from the Temple, bringing life, healing and renewal wherever it goes.

💧 “Immersion in Living Water,” the 2026 symbol, reminds us of God’s life-giving presence and invites us to recognize His care for us through the gift of creation.

Join Bishop Lucia and members of our diocesan community in prayer as we begin this special season and reflect on how we can more deeply care for the world God has entrusted to us.

Learn more about the Season of Creation: seasonofcreation.org

08/27/2026

UPDATE: Calling hours have been changed. They will now be held from 9 to 11 a.m. The funeral Mass time of 11 a.m. remains the same.

UPDATE: Calling hours have been changed. They will now be held from 9 to 11 a.m. The funeral Mass time of 11 a.m. remains the same.

With deep sadness, we share that Rev. James Fritzen passed away on Monday, August 24 at the age of 82.

A dedicated priest of 57 years, we are most grateful for Father Fritzen's leadership and pastoral ministry over his decades in the diocese. Father served in many roles including Pastor, Diocesan Director of Catholic Cemeteries, Syracuse Fire Chaplain, Associate Pastor and Assistant Chancellor.

On Saturday, August 29, calling hours will be held from 10 to 11am at St. Stephen’s Church, Phoenix. A funeral Mass will follow at 11am.

May God grant Father Fritzen eternal rest. 🙏

08/26/2026

Looking for something to do this weekend? 🤔

🌟 Utica’s annual Santa Rosalia Feast returns Saturday, Aug. 29, and Sunday, Aug. 30, at the Santa Rosalia Chapel, corner of Mohawk and Jay streets.

Enjoy delicious Italian food, including sausage and peppers, meatballs, scacciatta, pasta e ceci, arancine, pizza, pizza fritta, cannoli and other Italian sweets. 🍝🍕🍨

🎶 Live music by Coro Italiano and Banda Rossa
🎟️ Cash-prize and 50+ basket raffles
🎈 Children’s games and activities

Sunday begins with Solemn Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, followed by the traditional procession of Santa Rosalia to the Chapel and recitation of the centuries-old poesia. A $10 pasta dinner will follow.

The feast, first celebrated in Utica in 1915, was revived in 2021 and continues to bring together people of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate Italian faith, culture and tradition.

Saturday: 5–10 p.m.
Sunday: Mass at 11 a.m., followed by procession and pasta dinner

All are welcome! ❤️🇮🇹

08/26/2026

UPDATE: Calling hours have been changed. They will now be held from 9 to 11 a.m. The funeral Mass time of 11 a.m. remains the same.

With deep sadness, we share that Rev. James Fritzen passed away on Monday, August 24 at the age of 82.

A dedicated priest of 57 years, we are most grateful for Father Fritzen's leadership and pastoral ministry over his decades in the diocese. Father served in many roles including Pastor, Diocesan Director of Catholic Cemeteries, Syracuse Fire Chaplain, Associate Pastor and Assistant Chancellor.

On Saturday, August 29, calling hours will be held from 10 to 11am at St. Stephen’s Church, Phoenix. A funeral Mass will follow at 11am.

May God grant Father Fritzen eternal rest. 🙏