Statement of Bishop Douglas J. Lucia
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse
on the death of Pope Francis
April 21, 2025
As tears sting my eyes, I join the Catholic Church throughout the world mourning the death of our beloved, Pope Francis, the 266th Successor of St. Peter whose true giftedness to the Church of the 21st century will only be seen as we grow in synodality. Along with Bishop Robert J. Cunningham, our Bishop-emeritus, I offer our Diocesan Church’s condolences and deepest sympathies to the Bergoglio Family, to his Jesuit confreres, and to his collaborators in his service to the Universal Church.
In the early hours of Easter Monday, in the midst of the Easter Octave, Pope Francis went like the holy women from the empty tomb of Christ – “And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them” (Mt. 28:9). I pray that he heard Jesus’ greeting to his apostles on that first Easter night, “Peace be with you” and that he enjoys the eternal, loving embrace of our God.
It is not lost on me as well that the Holy Father has returned to the Father’s house during a Jubilee Year which he inaugurated by opening the Holy Doors located both in St. Peter’s Basilica and at Rebibbia Prison in Rome. At that time, during the Solemn Inauguration of the Jubilee Year in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception here in Syracuse on the Sunday after Christmas, I stated: “In truth, brothers and sisters, some of us may think we are too far gone to grow in our faith because of age, infirmity, or even more our sinfulness. Let us not forget, it is the third oldest Pope who has led us into this Jubilee celebration even as he struggles with his own infirmity. Also, the day after Christmas he went to the Rebibbia prison in Rome where he opened another Holy Door – a symbol that no one is ‘confined to their mistakes’ or too lost to be saved by Christ. What one needs to do is to give Christ space and he will do the rest!”
As one whom Pope Francis called to be a successor of the Apostles as a bishop, he has been my role model as a bishop. In particular, I call to mind my two meetings with him within weeks of my Ordination as the Bishop of Syracuse. The first was a “meet-and-greet” with bishops from throughout the world who were at “New Bishops” school. The second was a bit more personal as the Bishops of New York State sat down with him for a 90-minute meeting during our ad limina visit to Rome. I remember at the time as the rookie, I was asked to pose a question to the Holy Father. The question I posed was, “What advice would he give to a new bishop?” He responded by telling me that a bishop had three places within the flock. The first position would be to lead the flock along the Way set out by Christ and His Church. The second one would be in the midst of the flock taking on the role of accompaniment on the journey and sharing Christ with those around us as happened on the road to Emmaus. The third place would be at the back of the flock for there would be times I would need to get people moving in the living out of their faith.
I haven’t forgotten his advice, along with his simplicity of lifestyle that has made a lasting impression on my episcopal ministry within the Church. His care for human society, along with all of God’s creation, opened a new vista for me in my priestly service. His invitation for us in this Jubilee Year to be, “Pilgrims of Hope” is a fitting legacy for his ministry among us.
I invite you now to join me in praying for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis– that despite the sinful human condition we all share in – he will now come to experience firsthand the treasure of heaven and know the joy and peace of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace! Amen.
MASS IN REMEMBRANCE OF POPE FRANCIS
Bishop Lucia will be the celebrant and homilist
at a special Mass in memory of Pope Francis
Friday, April 25, 2025
7:00 PM
St. Patrick's Church, Binghamton
ALL ARE INVITED!
NEW MINISTRY!!
ATTENTION WIDOWs/WIDOWERS
We invite you to a gathering of widows and widowers to enjoy each others company while sharing conversation and refreshments.
ALL are welcome!
The get together will be on
Thursday, May 1st at 1:00 pm,
at St. Mary’s Parish Hall.
ATTENTION ALL SUNDAY MASS VOLUNTEERS
Necessity of Safe Environment Training
Participants can register for the following sessions online at safeenvironment@syrdio.org
· Saturday, May 10, 2025: 9:00 am - St. Thomas Aquinas, Binghamton
· Monday, May 12, 2025: 6:00pm -St. Mary of the Assumption, Binghamton
· Thursday, May 15, 2025: 10:00 am - Catholic Charities of Broome County, Binghamton
· Saturday, May 31, 2025: 10:00 am -Our Lady of Good Counsel, Endicott
(Registration opens 4/16/2025)
THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES OF EASTERN BROOME
Caregiver respite
Attention Caregivers—Your role is an important one!
Respite care is here to help. Sometimes you may need a break to give you time to run errands, catch up on things or just relax.
We invite you to bring your loved one to a respite program with kind welcoming people who would like to help.
3rd Saturday of the month
Next Session
May 17, 2025—11:00 am – 2:00 pm
St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Kirkwood
Participants will have the opportunity to meet new friendly people. Activities include: sharing memories and life experiences, snack, music, arts and crafts, light chair exercises.
There is no cost. All are welcome! Registration is required.
If you would like more information, or to register, contact Barbara Kane at 607-775-0086 or bkanepld@gmail.com.
The Catholic Communities of Eastern Broome
In 2009, the Catholic Communities of Eastern Broome County were linked together as a Parish Cluster. Consisting of the four parishes of Our Lady of Lourdes in Windsor, St. Joseph's in Deposit, St. Joseph's in Sanitaria Springs and St. Mary's in Kirkwood. The parishes operate under the leadership of a Parish Life Director with sacramental needs provided by retired priests.
For more information please call the parish office at 607-775-0086.

Faith Formation News/Schedule
FAMILY FAITH FORMATION SCHEDULE
There will be no class on 4/27 due to Spring Break.
ST. MARY'S / SANITARIA SPRINGS
NEXT CLASS - MAY 4th
OUR LADY OF LOURDES
NEXT CLASS - MAY 4th
DEPOSIT
NEXT CLASS - MAY 4th
If you have any questions, please call the parish office at 607-775-0086.
A NOTE ABOUT MASS INTENTIONS
Our church has the beautiful practice of accepting mass intentions. An individual may request a mass to be offered for a certain intention: or example, in thanksgiving, for the intentions of another person (such as a birthday or anniversary), or, as is most common, for the repose of the soul of someone who has died. One must never forget the great spiritual benefit andinfinite graces that flow from the Sacrifice of the Mass. It is a wonderful spiritual gift.
If you would like to request an intention for a mass, simply call the parish office and we will help you schedule a date and time good for you.
The donation is $15.00, but if need be, we can discuss that when you call the office at 775-0086.

Please join us in praying for the sick of our parish communities
Julie Steele, Diane Yonchuk, The Grogan Family, Carolyn Depaolo, Mary Ann Cline, George Whiting, Alana Neer, Tom Williams, Darlene Rhodes, Janet Brunswick, Beverly Akulis, Joan Puccio, Robert Acquisto, Eleanor Brown, Wanda Chisarick, Jane Daley, Bev Gorman, Lori Decker, Jessica Griffiths, Caesar Siedlecke, Ray Vitiello, Karen Krasowsky, Bill Bennett, Giovanni Depolfi, Jean Aswad, Mary Kramer, Joe Hauptfleisch, Shirley Dennison, Tony Russell, JoAnne Meyer, Joan Covert, Corky Mott, Sarah Henry, Leo & Jan Grippen, Stephanie Davis, Kendra Decker, Jeannie Hurlburt, John & Arlene Dubay, Juliana Widmer,
Celia Santalucia, Ralph Blodgett, Connie Cotter,
Mary Joan Bayer, Anna Drankowski
Mass Times
St. Joseph Church Sanitaria Springs:
Sunday: 8:30 AM
Our Lady of Lourdes Church Windsor:
Sunday: 9:00 AM
St. Mary's Church Kirkwood:
Saturday: 4:00 PM | Sunday: 10:15 AM
St Joseph Church Deposit:
Sunday: 11:00 AM