May 8, 2014 | The official newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y. | www.thecatholicsun.com 3 “My Place in the Sun” Bishop Cunningham writes about World Day of Prayer for Vocations Ruling allows prayer Supreme Court rules prayers before town council meetings do not violate Constitution Awards honor service Annual House of Providence Awards honor three for service Field of dreams Bishop Ludden softball team gets a field of its own 5 8 20 Loving God, As a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, so you watch over your Church. Bless these women, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. — “The Blessing for Mothers,” from The Book of Blessings SUN PHOTO | CHUCK WAINWRIGHT A statue of Mary and the Christ Child stands on the grounds of Christ the King Retreat House and Conference Center in Syracuse. Visit www.thecatholicsun.com to read and explore the Sun’s digital edition! By Pat Shea Sun associate editor B renden and Nicole Flynn met by accident — literally. In May 2002, 18-year-old Brenden and his best friend were traveling from Seneca Falls to an event at their local high school when a truck traveling at high speed failed to yield and crashed into them. The truck split the car in two and catapulted both men into a nearby field. Brenden’s friend did not survive the accident. Brenden was transported to Upstate University Hospital, barely clinging to life and in a coma. The doctors told the Flynn family that it was unlikely Brenden would survive. “They [the doctors] gave me no chance to live but my family wouldn’t listen,” said Brenden in a recent interview. Instead of following the doctors’ grim proposal to keep Brenden comfortable and allow nature to take its course, he said, the Flynn family prayed vigilantly and refused to give up hope. Slowly, Brenden began to recover. “When you wake up from a coma it’s like you’re 10 years old all over again,” stated Brenden. “It sets you back and people in the world are not very kind to you.” He was released from the hospital four months later and began a long recovery process where he had to relearn skills like swallowing, talking and walking. Eventually, in 2007, he was able to live on his own, although his injuries left him with short-term memory loss and a speech disability. In June 2007, four days after her high-school graduation, 18-year-old Nicole Vanderwall was crossing the street when she was struck by a car and seriously injured. Like Brenden’s, the doctors’ prognosis for Nicole, who was comatose, was poor. “There was talk of pulling the plug while I was in the coma. The doctors felt there was no hope,” stated Nicole. But like Brenden, Nicole began to fight her way back, slowly recovering and having to learn basic life skills all over again. In 2008, both Brenden and Nicole participated in the Wildlife Defenders Program, an educational outreach program run by Bridges for Brain Injury, a rehabilitation program for individuals who have suffered traumatic brain injury. The program helps participants to develop personal October 2, 2014 | The official newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y. | www.thecatholicsun.com CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 PHOTO SUBMITTED Brenden and Nicole Flynn with their daughter Faith. A second chance at life After accidents, couple speaks out in faith to respect life September 11, 2014 | The official newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y. | www.thecatholicsun.com Catholic school students around the diocese were all smiles as they headed back to classes last week. Pictured above (from top) are Robert Murphy, a student at Holy Cross School in DeWitt; members of the third grade class at Holy Family School in Syracuse; and first grader Dulcinea Holcomb and Spanish teacher Maureen Mayberry, both of Immaculate Conception School in Fayetteville. PHOTOS COURTESY (FROM TOP): SISTER ROSE BILL, MFIC; MARY BABBLES; CAROLINE N. AGOR-CALIMLIM • Superintendent Bill Crist on the new school year: page 7 • Once classmates, now colleagues at St. James School: page 8 • Meet the diocese’s new principals and assistant principal: page 9 Back to School! April 17, 2014 | The official newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y. | www.thecatholicsun.com SUN PHOTO | CHUCK WAINWRIGHT A stained glass window at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse depicts Christ’s resurrection. Visit www.thecatholicsun.com to read and explore the Sun’s digital edition! “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” —1Pt 1:3 June 19, 2014 | The official newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y. | www.thecatholicsun.com 3 “My Place in the Sun” Bishop Cunningham writes about the Holy Spirit Bishops focus on religious liberty, election document, upcoming synod Pathways to Ministry honors local catechists Spotlight on seniors Opportunities and resources in the diocese 5 7 8&9 CNS PHOTO | PAUL HARING Pope Francis greets the crowd as he leaves his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican June 11. Visit www.thecatholicsun.com to read and explore the Sun’s digital edition! Pope Francis says world economic system inevitably leads to war By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis said the world economic system inevitably promotes military conflict as a way to enrich the most powerful nations. He also condemned religious fundamentalism, defended the controversial record of Pope Pius XII and said he does not worry about his personal security because, “at my age I don’t have much to lose.” Pope Francis’ words appeared in a wide-ranging interview published June 12 in the Spanish daily La Vanguardia. “We are in a world economic system that is not good,” Pope Francis said. “A system that in order to survive must make war, as great empires have always done. But since you cannot have a Third World War, you have regional wars. And what does this mean? That arms are made and sold, and in this way the idolatrous economies, the great world economies that sacrifice man at the feet of the idol of money, obviously keep their balance sheets in the black.” Yet the pope reiterated one of his signature themes, that globalization’s failings are not only material but cultural, since it “cancels differences.” He called for an economic system that preserves each person’s “particularity, richness, identity.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 e Catholic Sun 240 E. Onondaga St. • Syracuse, N.Y. 13202 P: (315) 422-8153 or (800) 333-0571 • F: (315) 422-7549 • www.thecatholicsun.com 2015 Digital version of The Catholic Sun now available online! The official newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse Serving subscribers in Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga and Oswego Counties