The Catholic Sun

12/09/2025

This Advent, our diocesan podcast Catholic Conversations is celebrating the beautiful tapestry of faith traditions in our diocesan family. ✨ Each week, guests from different cultural backgrounds share how their communities prepare for and celebrate the coming of Christ. 🙏💜

The series began Dec. 2 with Mike Huynh, who shared about his Vietnamese heritage. 🇻🇳 Upcoming episodes will highlight African, Polish, and Latino traditions. 🌍✨

The photo below was taken this weekend during El Día de las Velitas—the Day of the Little Candles. 🕯️💛 Catholic Sun Editor Tami Scott and her family celebrated the tradition on Saturday, Dec. 6 (also St. Nicholas Day 🎅). With two of Tami’s children adopted from Colombia, this celebration holds special meaning for their family. 🇨🇴❤️

Falling on the eve of the Immaculate Conception, El Día de las Velitas marks the unofficial start of the Christmas season in Colombia. Families light candles—often inscribed with intentions, wishes, or prayers—for loved ones, health, and hopes for the coming year. ✍️🕯️💫

This beautiful tradition blends Catholic devotion with cultural joy, filling the season with light, hope, and community. ✨🤍🌟

12/05/2025

Despite the freezing temperatures, more than 30 people gathered tonight (Dec. 4) for a candlelight vigil outside the Sen. John H. Hughes Office Building in downtown Syracuse.
⠀
Supporters joined the New York Alliance Against Assisted Su***de (NYAAAS) to respectfully urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to veto Bill S.138/A.136.
⠀
Bishop Douglas J. Lucia couldn’t attend due to a prior commitment, but he shared a heartfelt letter for New Yorkers (below).
⠀
We’ll have more coverage in an upcoming issue of The Catholic Sun.

12/01/2025

This Advent, reflect on the season with members of our Diocese each week in The Catholic Sun!

Visit them online to read the full reflections!

12/01/2025

Advertising Coordinator Mark Klenz and Staff Writer Liz Landry are all smiles holding the latest issue of SOLIS, which hit mailboxes last week!

We’d love to hear from you — how are you enjoying the articles so far? Your feedback helps us shape future issues!

11/30/2025

11/27/2025

https://youtube.com/shorts/zC8YHLH_wbo?feature=shared

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

11/26/2025

https://thecatholicsun.com/bishop-lucia-announces-five-new-pastoral-appointments/

Bishop Lucia announces five new pastoral appointments Nov 26, 2025 | Local Bishop Douglas J. Lucia has made the following pastoral appointments: Rev. Nader Ata, OFM Conv., previously Parochial Vicar at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Syracuse, New York, has been appointed Pastor, effec...

11/26/2025

Earlier this week, pre-k through sixth-grade students at Immaculate Conception School in Fayetteville gathered in the school's gymnasium to pray together as a school community, and parents were also welcomed to join. The Thanksgiving Alphabet of Gratitude was led by the sixth-grade class of Mrs. Conrad and Mrs. Paige after the prayer and pledge.

During this Thanksgiving season, the school collected personal items to donate to St. Lucy's Parish. They also assembled the Thankful Turkey, with all the many gratitude words written on its feathers.

11/25/2025

Our sincere gratitude to West Herr Chevrolet of East Syracuse for their generosity!

Last week, West Herr delivered 160 turkeys and bags of food for Thanksgiving meals to food pantries and non-profits that provide services to those in need in the city and nearby suburbs, bringing West Herr’s Central New York donation to 400 turkeys.

Donations for the bags of food were collected at West Herr Chevrolet of East Syracuse from customers and staff at the dealership.

West Herr Automotive Group has 39 dealerships in Buffalo and Rochester and 1 in Central New York. Throughout their service area they have donated $100,000 in turkeys to those in need and thousands of bags of food that was donated at their dealerships.

11/25/2025

On Monday, Nov. 24, Blessed Sacrament School in Syracuse continued its long-standing tradition (26 years!) of making pumpkin pies to donate to the Rescue Mission for Thanksgiving meals. 🙏 💕

Check out this video 🎥 for a little behind-the-scenes look at the "whys and hows" it's done!

https://youtube.com/shorts/f7jEsNTRp38?feature=shared www.syracusedio.org

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

11/21/2025

Mark your calendar, support local vendors and get your Christmas shopping done! 🎅