By Connie Berry
Sun editor

Bishop Robert Cunningham followed in the footsteps of his predecessors when he celebrated Mass at Unity Kitchen in downtown Syracuse Aug. 22. This time though, the Mass was in celebration of a milestone. Unity Kitchen Community of the Catholic Worker is 40 years old. With a simple altar covered with a white cloth, the bishop welcomed all the guests and volunteers who filled what is usually the dining room at 385 W. Onondaga St.

The bishop described God as a “teacher” in his homily. He said the world is very different and yet in some ways the same as it was for the people of the first century.

“We feel ourselves veering from the narrow path so God sends us reminders,” Bishop Cunningham said. “He reminds us of our need to not be concerned with things happening outside, but with our relationship with Him and each other. And yet God, like every good teacher, tries to help us grow.”

The history of Unity Kitchen includes its own growing pains. It opened in September of 1970 with Bob Russell, a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War, at the helm. He was living at St. Lucy’s rectory and providing community service. Father Ted Sizing, then at St. Lucy’s Church, asked Russell to open a soup kitchen. Father Sizing and then Father Dick Keough were early supporters. A storefront was found at 564 S. Salina St. and Unity Kitchen opened. Ann O’Connor began her work at Unity Kitchen in the early days, shortly after the kitchen opened. Peter King joined the community in September of 1972. They married in 1980 and still serve as the primary leaders of Unity Kitchen.

The anniversary Mass also provided a way for the couple to thank all the volunteers and guests who have helped keep the kitchen going over the years. “We thank God for our 40 years of grace and gifts and being taken care of,” O’Connor said after the Mass. “We’re really a small endeavor in the whole of things.”

The principles that founded the kitchen were those of the Catholic Worker — hospitality and serving each guest as if he or she was the face of Jesus. The small endeavor was not always so small. The first year many of the people who came to the kitchen were homeless or alcoholics or both. It was a time of urban renewal and the storefront was leased for $1 and slated for demolition at the end of the year. After a year of soup lines, a new location was found in an abandoned factory building. This location was large enough to also offer overnight shelter, O’Connor said. The soup lines continued and Unity Kitchen was often chaotic and crowded. A policy of never saying “no” to those who came to the door meant the conditions inside were sometimes tumultuous, O’Connor explained.

By Claudia Mathis
Sun staff writer

Anyone who is experiencing or has experienced the trauma of a divorce will find the upcoming retreat for separated and divorced, held Sept. 17-19 at Stella Maris Retreat Center in Skaneateles, extremely healing. The quiet, reflective setting of the retreat center facilitates a sense of serenity.

This year marks the retreat’s 10th anniversary. Dean Brainard, coordinator of the Syracuse Diocese’s separated and divorced ministry, said the retreat is usually attended by 20-35 people each year. Brainard has participated in the event for the last seven years. “It’s a tremendous, uplifting experience,” he said. “Every year that I attend, I receive a new level of inspiration from it.”

The theme of this year’s retreat is “Moving Out of Darkness and Into the Light of God’s Love.” The special event is enhanced this year by the addition of two new activities — a guided walk through scenic Skaneateles and Salsa dance lessons during the social hour on Saturday evening.

By Claudia Mathis
Sun staff writer

Sister Katie Eiffe, CSJ, Diocesan Director of the Office of Faith Formation, is hoping for a crowd of 500 to attend the faith inspiring 2010 Journey of Faith Conference Saturday, Sept. 26. The 16th annual conference will be held at the OnCenter in Syracuse.

This year the theme is “Paths to Discipleship.” As Sister Katie and her office considered the theme of discipleship, they invited Bishop Thomas Costello to return as keynote speaker for a second time (he was the keynote speaker for the first Journey of Faith Conference in 1995). “As you know,” said Sister Katie, “Bishop Costello has retired as auxiliary bishop, but his experience as priest, as bishop, as disciple will, we believe, challenge and inspire our own journeys of faith.”

Journey of Faith participants will have the opportunity to choose from among 32 workshops on a wide variety of topics, including three on the timely subject of using the tools of technology to enhance faith formation.

Sister Katie said that many of the workshop presenters will focus on how to live like a disciple of Jesus. “As always, we have invited workshop facilitators who will speak to people involved in catechetical ministry, and to people involved in other ministries in their parishes or schools, and to those whose ministry is to their families and co-workers in the marketplace,” Sister Katie said.

The event will also include a musical concert on the Friday evening preceding the conference, Sept. 25. ValLimar Jansen, a gifted singer, songwriter and storyteller, will perform at St. Margaret’s Church in Mattydale. “She is an amazing performer who will uplift and inspire,” said Sister Katie. Also performing that evening will be Sean Clive, a liturgical musician from St. Anthony’s Parish in Chadwicks. He has won national awards for his music.