Liturgical ministers must complete Safe Environment training and a criminal background check, reflecting the Diocese’s commitment to protecting the vulnerable. Though they may not regularly interact with children, youth, or vulnerable adults, liturgical ministers serve as safe adults within our parish community. This new policy, effective March 1, 2025, will be implemented over a 2.5-year period, allowing ample time for liturgical ministers in each category to complete the training.

Beginning September 1, 2025, all Sacristans, Adult Altar Servers, Liturgical Ministry Leaders, and Lectors/Readers must complete Safe Environment training by June 30, 2026.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must meet this requirement by December 31, 2025, and members of Music Ministry, including cantors, choir members, and instrumentalists, must complete Safe Environment training by March 31, 2026.

Contact the Office of Safe Environment with any questions at safeenvironment@syrdio.org or call 315.470.1421.

https://syracusediocese.org/safe-environment

February 8th

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Gym

Join us for open gym and food & games!

6th-8th Graders ages 9-14 (as of Jan. 1st) are eligible to compete. Winners announced at 7:45 p.m.

Contact: Kathy Hamilton khamilton@syrdio.org

Thank you for helping the Diocese of Syracuse to spread hope! Please consider donating to our 2025 Hope Appeal!

https://syracusediocese.org/hopeappeal

March 1st

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Our Lady of Sorrows

Includes live music, adoration, confession

dinner, games and more!

Register Here

About our Speaker: Dave Gamache grew up in Binghamton, NY, serving as an altar server at St. Patrick's Church, graduated from Seton CC before heading to the University of Dayton- where he famously earned a C- in public speaking. Thankfully, that didn't stop him. After a short sales career (and a lot of practice), Dave discovered his calling as a professional speaker. For over 22 years, Dave has shared messages of hope, resilience, forgiveness, leadership, bully prevention, and faith with more than one million students, educators, and community leaders in all 50 states. He was honored with the 2018 National Character Education Center Award for his work in youth character development. Dave's approach to evangelization is refreshingly simple: lead with generosity, humility, curiosity, and trust in the Lord-not complicated theology. This Lenten season, he looks forward to inspiring others to confidently witness their faith and reflect God's love in everyday life.

For more information visit: www.olsvestal.org

Contact:

treynolds@syrdio.org

March 7th

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Our Lady of Sorrows

It's no secret, the fastest growing population in our Church, sadly, are those who have left the Church. These may include our grown children, a spouse, a parent or grandparent, another relative or a close friend. No generation has been immune from this departure. Let's turn our sadness into HOPE by taking a deep dive into understanding that God works through everyone - including YOU - to act as His hand, open and outstretched, to meet people where they are, ready to listen to their story, joyfully prepared for an encounter with our sisters and brothers who have left, to welcome them home.

Speakers: 

Tom Andino: Director of Deacon Formation 

Allison Bracht: Program Coordinator for The Office of Adult & Ministerial Formation

1st & 3rd Fridays

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Gym

Join us for our EDGE middle school youth group on 1st and 3rd Fridays!

Contact khamilton@syrdio.org or ehotalen@syrdio.org for more info.

January 17th

OLGC Church Hall

9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Come hear a talk about prayer and order in prayer! It follows our talks this year about our relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Prayer is not just saying Hail Mary's and Our Father's, but is a relationship with God that we have with Him and He with us.

The format is consistent with our theme of a free hot breakfast served by the Knights of Columbus, a talk and then small group discussion and final blessing.

If you are not a regular but plan on coming out, please contact the Rectory so we have a better food count for the Knights.  If you just want to show up, that is perfectly fine, too.

God bless!

July 16-19, 2026

Franciscan University, Ohio

This bus trip includes a full day and dinner buffet at Kennywood Amusement Park in Pittsburgh, full access to Franciscan University's three day Catholic Youth Conference on campus, which includes inspirational

talks, activities for youth groups, custom t-shirts, prayer, live music, Adoration, Daily Mass and so much more!! Open to high school students, including this year's 8th grade and graduating seniors.

Cost

The cost per student is $325. Fundraising opportunities are coming soon! Scholarships and family discounts are available.

A $50 non-refundable deposit is required to save your spot, don't delay!

Registration

Mail or drop off a $50 deposit check payable to Our Lady of Sorrows Church (with memo: Steubenville) labeled "Office of Youth Ministry" . You will then receive links ®gistration information via email and/or phone.

August 22nd, 2026

Join us for the second annual Tee Off for Teens golf tournament to help support our youth groups! More information coming soon.