Children in the elementary Faith Formation program were featured as saints during Masses on Nov. 2 and 3. These photos are courtesy of Terri Panuccio. 56 Photos Images from the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Ash Wednesday, March 6, 2019. 15 Photos On the feast of St. Blaise, the annual Blessing of the Throats took place on Feb. 2 and 3. These photos from the 4:30 p.m. Mass are courtesy of Tom Loughlin Jr. 9 Photos More than 100 children and adults gathered for the annual Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 8, following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. They were treated to pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, juice, coffee and more. Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Claus paid a visit. 36 Photos At the 4 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve, the children of Mount Carmel / Blessed Sacrament participated in the annual Christmas Pageant, which reenacts the Christmas story of the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem where Jesus is born in a stable. These images are courtesy of Terri Panuccio. 66 Photos The Italian Christmas Gathering took place Friday, Dec. 13, at Delta Hotels by Marriott Utica in downtown Utica. The event was sponsored by the Mount Carmel Social Committee and the Italian Heritage Club. Entertainment was provided by Anthony LaBarbera. The gala raised $1,040 for the Veterans Outreach Center. These photos are courtesy of Annette Marro and Joann Campbell. 27 Photos The fifth annual Mount Carmel / Blessed Sacrament Communion Brunch took place Sunday, Oct. 20, at Daniele’s Banquet Facility in New Hartford. About 170 parishioners, family and friends attended. Guest speaker was the Rev. John Buehler was guest speaker. Father John, a classmate of Father Jim Cesta, spoke about what it means to be a pastor and a shepherd of a flock. He and Father Jim have been friends for 53 years. Father John is retired after spending more than 25 years at Historic Old St. John’s, including many as pastor. 73 Photos Twenty-four young adults from Mount Carmel / Blessed Sacrament joined with other teenagers from the area and received the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation on Wednesday, April 24, at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. Bishop Robert Cunningham of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse presided. Those confirmed from Mount Carmel / Blessed Sacrament were:
Brooklyn Catherine Arabia-DeJesus
Alana Gianna Batson
Carly Cecilia Beasock
Alexandra Gianna Beratta
Gina Theresa Cittadino
Dominic Gregory Clark
Rocco Anthony Commisso
Michael Anthony DeFazio
Gianna Christina Fanelli
Taylor Genesis Gerrer
Danielle Elizabeth Getz
Edmond Timothy Lewandrowski
Carmen Vincent Marsala
Kyaw John Min
Hser Nay Mary Moo
Joseph Michael Mosca
Anthony Sebastian Nassar
Daniel Lah John Nwee
Abbigail Teresa Pape
Anthony Nicholas Priore
Joseph Francis Rizzo
Matthew John Rycraft
Zachary Francis Slade
Matthew Christian St. Louis-Waldren
These photos are courtesy of Tom Loughlin Jr. 60 Photos On Saturday evening April 20, the Easter Vigil was celebrated at Mount Carmel / Blessed Sacrament. The service began in the dark as the pascal candle was lit. The story of creation was read, along with other Old Testament readings, including the Exodus from Egypt. Two men were welcomed into the Catholic community through Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. A third was confirmed. 57 Photos The 2019-20 Faith Formation program began in September. Here are some images courtesy of Terri Panuccio. 46 Photos The 2019 St. Mary of Mount Carmel / Blessed Sacrament Italian Festival took place July 19-21. 106 Photos The annual Walk for Mary's Children took place following the 10:30 a.m. Mass Sunday, July 21, 2019. The congregation processed around the festival and church grounds, and food was collected for neighborhood residents. 34 Photos During the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday, April 27, 2019, 29 children received their First Holy Communion from Father Jim in front of family, friends and the parish community. These photos are courtesy of Debbie Chandler from DeeTales Photography. 287 Photos The children in our First Communion class, along with their parents, were present at our 10:30 Mass Sunday, Feb. 10, to pledge their commitment to continuing their faith journey toward joining us at the Eucharistic table for the first time on April 29. On Saturday, Feb. 2, the children decorated fish that were hung on a net during our weekend Masses, as a sign of their commitment to “Following Jesus.” These photos are courtesy of Terri Panuccio. 83 Photos The children in our second-grade class, along with their parents, attended a workshop Saturday, March 30, as part of their First Communion preparation. They will join us at the Eucharistic table for the first time on April 27. We began our day as we listened to the Gospel by St. Luke where Jesus' disciples met Him on the Road to Emmaus. Then, with the help of their parents, they made a chalice out of clay and their pew banners. We ended our day together with a Church Search. These photos are courtesy of Terri Panuccio. 125 Photos Twenty-nine children made their First Reconciliation on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, with Father Jim and Father John Buehler of Historic Old St. John's officiating. These photos are courtesy of Terry Panuccio. 112 Photos The seventh annual golf tournament took place Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019, at Stonebridge Golf and Country Club in New Hartford. The day included a four-person scramble, 18 holes of golf with cart, coffee, lunch at the turn, steak dinner and beverages. There were prizes, optional skins, a chance to win a car and ATV with a hole in one. Money raised will be used for the restoration and preservation of our church and grounds. About 66 golfers participated. 63 Photos At 3 p.m. on Good Friday, the time we're told Jesus breathed his last on the cross, our parish commemorated His crucifixion and death with the reading of the Passion, the veneration of the cross and Holy Communion. 20 Photos On Holy Thursday evening, the parish community commemorated Jesus Christ's Last Supper with the traditional washing of the feet and the institution of the Holy Eucharist. 70 Photos Beverly Franz received the Immaculata Medallion at a vesper service Dec. 8, 2019, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse. The Immaculata Medallion is an award recognizing and honoring lay people who generously and unselfishly volunteer time and service to their parish. It was instituted in December 2011 as a component of the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the diocese. 20 Photos The annual “Jazz Nativity — Bending Toward the Light” took place Tuesday, Dec. 3. It is a production of Chelsea Opera and Kindred Spirits from New York City, featuring Utica’s native Leonarda Priore along with Central New York’s most acclaimed jazz instrumentalists. The holiday concert has become an annual tradition at Mount Carmel/Blessed Sacrament. The event is in memory and celebration of Nicholas S. Priore. 43 Photos The annual May Crowing in honor of our Blessed Mother took place at all Masses on Mother's Day Weekend, May 11 and 12, 2019. The children of the First Communion class participated in the services. These photos are courtesy of Terri Panuccio. 155 Photos Father Jim, along with Bishop-elect Douglas John Lucia and other priests and seminarians, played in the annual diocesan Men in Black softball game Sunday, July 28, 2019, at Notre Dame Junior-Senior High School. The Syracuse Diocese Padres, as the team is called, played a team of young people, supported in person by Father Joe Salerno. The game is played each year to promote vocations to the priesthood. It took place for the first time in the Eastern Region of the diocese and was well attended. Some images are courtesy of Tom Loughlin Jr. 89 Photos Children and adults in the parish commemorated Jesus' triumphant return to Jerusalem during the 10:30 a.m. Palm Sunday Mass on April 14, 2019. 35 Photos
