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Church weddings offer more than just the ‘I do’s’

By FRAN PERRITANO Jennifer Sadallah and Justin Worboys really wanted to get married in the Catholic Church, even if they had to travel more than 8,000 miles to do it. PHOTO ABOVE: Jennifer Sadallah and Justin Worboys on their wedding day, Dec. 28, 2019. Jennifer said it was important for them to be married in […]

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Pastor’s Perspective: Marriage blessed in church a ‘beautiful gift to all of us’

It’s always a privilege to officiate at a holy marriage performed in church before the altar of God. The couple is not there just because they love each other. With the eyes of faith, they’re in church to be a sign and echo of God’s love for all of us — it’s named the Sacrament […]

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Our Catholic Heritage: Ezra key in getting Israelites back on track

Final chapter in our series on the artwork in the arch over the altar of sacrifice.  In chapters 1 and 2, we learned about the two characters on the left of the arch. In the last chapter we learned the story of Balaam, who appears on the right side of the arch. To the right […]

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Where are they now? Zachary looks forward to his next crescendo

“More Good News” featured Zachary Slade 10 years ago when he was 8. He was, and still is, a gifted pianist. He is more than a musician, however, as he has matured into a young adult eager for the next challenge in life. How has your life changed in the last 10 years? The biggest […]

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Volunteers the fuel that keeps our parish running

Michelle Commisso, above, has been a Faith Formation catechist in the parish for 22 years. She said her volunteering led to a professional career. “I absolutely fell in love with teaching,” she said. “… I went back to college to earn a bachelor’s degree in education and have been an elementary school teacher in the […]

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Our Catholic Heritage: Balaam’s story a reminder to avoid baser instincts

Above: After meeting with King Balak, Balaam and his entourage left for Moab, but God sent an angel to block his way. The donkey that the prophet was riding could see the angel, even if his master could not, and refused to move forward — three times! By A.J. VALENTINI Chapter 3 in a series […]

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Pastor’s Perspective: Don’t go along for the ride; be an active participant

Most of us live our lives within the wider and blessed life of a Catholic parish. Even if there was not the experience of Catholic school days, the sacraments and special moments such as baptisms, weddings, funerals and saints’ days — as well as seasonal celebrations and feast days — fashion our identity in faith, […]

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Pastor’s Perspective: Priest represents Christ and people he serves

By FATHER JIM Through so many generations and times passed, the Catholic priesthood has served the people of God — the faithful, the Church — in essentially two ways. The most significant of these is for the priest to represent Christ in the grace and blessings that flow from our sacramental life. The priest stands […]

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Parish volunteers: Scalzos get the job done

“More Good News” begins a series of stories on volunteers, who are the lifeblood of our parish. This issue features Mario and Carmelann Scalzo, who have served Mount Carmel / Blessed Sacrament in many capacities. They answered our questions together. In December, you received the Immaculata Award from the Syracuse diocese given to people who […]

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Our Catholic Heritage: Boaz was a compassionate man, kind to women

Chapter 2 in a series on our parish history and its artwork. Today, meet Booz (aka Boaz). By A.J. VALENTINI Continuing our series on our parish history and art, we return to the arch over the altar of sacrifice. In Chapter 1 in the last issue of “More Good News,” we learned about the first […]