Vincent and Anthony T. are twins. Some of their interests are the same, while others are different. What they both agree on is they have a special connection. Vincent: Your favorite hobby is arts and crafts, and for a year you have had a Facebook page called “Vincent’s Corner.” What’s the website all about and […]
MORE GOOD NEWS
With mom’s prayers, Jennifer Tran rediscovers her faith
Jennifer Tran was baptized Catholic as a baby and has been going to Mass all her life. She made her First Communion and was confirmed, but something was missing. She had her doubts about the faith. It wasn’t until she became a Eucharistic minister that everything fell into place and she found her way. You […]
Bishop’s life changed after almost leaving seminary
On June 4, 2019, Pope Francis appointed Douglas Lucia to be the 11th bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse. He succeeds Bishop Robert Cunningham, who retired. The new bishop shepherds more than 220,000 Catholics who reside in seven counties of the diocese covering 5,479 square miles. It’s been quite a journey for a […]
Chris Gray loves to share her faith with young people
Chris Gray had a bit of a late start in her faith, but since her teen years she has been guided by God and her faith. She now shares those beliefs with others, especially young people. Mount Carmel was your parents’ original parish. You really started to attend church when you were a teen and […]
Parish catechists help lay religious foundation for our children
Volunteers are the heart and soul of Mount Carmel / Blessed Sacrament Parish. Without the dozens of people who share their time and talents, our parish would not be as vibrant as it is. One very important group of volunteers is the Faith Formation catechists, who — along with parents — teach our children about […]
Gina makes a big splash in high school, life
Gina has a lot of irons in the fire. She’s on the high school varsity swim team, is junior class president, loves performing on stage and has become a leader at a young age. Through it all, she knows who she is, who she wants to be and how faith plays a role in her […]
No matter in what capacity, Joe Furgol serves others
Joe Furgol served the country in the Army in the 1960s, was a Utica firefighter for nearly 30 years and has been and still is an Oneida County legislator. At Mount Carmel / Blessed Sacrament, Joe continues to serve others. You attended Brandegee grammar school and Proctor High School. After graduating, you joined the Army […]
12 good shepherds have guided parish for nearly 125 years
When the Rev. Joseph Salerno was named pastor of St. Mary of Mount Carmel in 1991, it came as a bit of a surprise. He had spent several months training to become a hospital chaplain and expected to become part of the pastoral care team at Community General Hospital in Syracuse. It didn’t turn out […]
St. John the Evangelist known as pillar of the church
In the weeks following Easter, we heard several of the passages from St. John, “the one that Jesus loved,” and the youngest of the first Apostles. In art we see him at the foot of the cross and asleep on Jesus’ chest at the Last Supper. This writer often thinks of him as Christ’s “chosen […]
Angela and Bob Ferdula: Mr. and Mrs. Inseparable
Bob and Angela Ferdula have been married for 30 years. Usually, when you see one, you’ll see the other. They volunteer together in the parish at the festival and are part of the Marriage Ministry, and cantor at the same Mass, among others. Despite their togetherness they have one piece of advice for married couples […]









