Dear Friends in Christ,

Greetings in the Lord!

As you know, Bishop Lucia has appointed me the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish and the Vice Chancellor of the Diocese of Syracuse. This appointment is in addition to my current assignments as the pastor of Divine Mercy Parish and The Mission of Saint Bernadette and the Episcopal Master of Ceremonies. It will be effective 1 August 2023. Bishop Lucia has also appointed Monsignor Elmer as the parochial vicar of Sacred Heart Parish and Divine Mercy Parish and The Mission of Saint Bernadette. He will administer Sacred Heart Parish in the meantime. There is much to say and do in the days ahead. For now, however, allow me to take this opportunity to introduce myself and Msgr. Elmer and to offer a few words of encouragement.

Father Seibt

Most of you already know me! Nevertheless, the following is a reminder and an update. I am originally from the North Side of Syracuse. I have two wonderful and supportive parents (Ted and Sandy) and one younger sister (Jackie), who is married to her husband (Kevin); they have two amazing sons (Joseph and Matthew). I attended Saint Daniel Parish and School, Bishop Grimes Jr./Sr. High School, and Le Moyne College. In 2005, I entered Theological College Seminary in Washington, D.C., and began a long course of study at The Catholic University of America. I graduated with degrees in philosophy (Ph.B, 07’ / Ph.L, 08’), theology (S.T.B., 12’ / S.T.L., 14’), and canon law (J.C.L., 19’). “That and a dollar with will get you a cup of coffee,” as they say.

I was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Syracuse at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on 1 June 2013. After completing further studies, I served as a parochial vicar both at Saint Rose of Lima Parish in North Syracuse (2014 – 2016) and at the Parish of Saints John and Andrew in Binghamton (2016 – 2017). I then returned to The Catholic University of America at the request of Bishop Cunningham to study canon law (2017 – 2019). Upon my return to the diocese, I was appointed the pastor of Divine Mercy Parish and The Mission of Saint Bernadette as well as the director of the Diocesan Office of Liturgy and the R.C.I.A. and a judge in the Diocesan Tribunal (2019 – present). In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano and organ, landscaping, cooking, running, hiking, and playing tennis.

Monsignor Elmer

Msgr. Elmer is originally from Oneida. He has a sister, a brother, and several nieces and nephews.  He studied for the priesthood at Wadams Hall in Ogdensburg and at Christ the King Seminary at Saint Bonaventure University. He later studied canon law at Saint Paul University in Ottawa (J.C.L., 82’). He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Syracuse at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on 12 May 1973, which means that this year is his fiftieth anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. May God bless him for his fidelity and grant him many more years!  

During the past fifty years, Msgr. Elmer has served in the following roles: parochial vicar, pastor, chaplain, Judicial Vicar, Chancellor, Vicar Forane, and Vicar General. He has exercised his priestly ministry at: Blessed Sacrament in Syracuse, Saint Ann in Syracuse, Saint Daniel in Lyncourt, Saint Patrick in Chittenango, Saint Margaret in Mattydale, Colgate University in Hamilton, and the Diocesan Chancery in Syracuse. In recognition for his distinctive and self-less service to the Church, Pope Benedict XVI named him a Chaplain of His Holiness (Monsignor) in 2010. In his spare time, Msgr. Elmer enjoys gardening and playing the bagpipes.

Deacons

Both Sacred Heart Parish and Divine Mercy Parish and The Mission of Saint Bernadette are also blessed to be served by Deacon Mark Berube, Deacon Lou Delsole, Deacon Brian Lauri, and Deacon Ken Money. They are men of many gifts and talents and will be of great assistance in the ministry of the word, liturgy, and charity as we move forward.

Words of Encouragement

Msgr. Elmer is looking forward to getting to know you and to serving you in the days ahead. Both Msgr. and I are looking forward to both parishes getting to know one another. We will do our very best to provide the pastoral care needed at each parish. It is impossible for us to do it all. Nevertheless, with the help of our dedicated parish staffs and volunteers we will always make sure that the word of God is proclaimed with boldness, the sacraments are celebrated with devotion, and the Christian life is being lived well at each parish.

We are in a unique time in the life of the Church. We are transitioning from an era when Christianity and the culture aligned (Christendom) to a time when we need to engage the culture once more with the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Apostolic Mission). Hence, many parishes are sharing clergy and other resources, others are merging, and some church buildings are closing.

At present, we are two parishes sharing resources. We at Divine Mercy Parish and The Mission of Saint Bernadette are no stranger to this reality. The parishes of Saint Agnes in Brewerton and Saint Michael in Central Square merged to become the parish of Divine Mercy in 2013. In 2015 the parishes of Saint Mary of the Assumption in Cleveland and Saint Bernadette in Constantia began sharing resources with Divine Mercy Parish. In 2020, the parish of Saint Mary merged with Saint Bernadette and its church closed. On 15 July 2023, the parish of Saint Bernadette will merge with Divine Mercy and its church will close. Let us continue to keep one another in prayer during this time of transition.

The changes in Brewerton, Central Square, Constantia, and Cleveland were certainly not easy ones. However, they were the result of following the Spirit’s lead and responding to the needs of the time and of the various communities involved. In the end, they produced a more vibrant parish community – Divine Mercy Parish and The Mission of Saint Bernadette – in worshiping God, living and sharing the Good News of his love and salvation, and caring for those in need.

As Sacred Heart Parish and Divine Mercy Parish and the Mission of Saint Bernadette come together on 1 August 2023 and begin sharing resources, there will of course be some changes. During this time of transition please remember that: (1) we need to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord and allow him to lead us, (2) there is no them and us; we are one Body in Christ, (3) we need to act with Christian dignity and love in all we say and do, even when we are frustrated, (4) we cannot let the Evil One cause us to fall away. I am confident that the Lord will “give success to the work of our hands” (Psalm 90:17) in the days ahead and will bestow many blessings upon us. If you have not yet been to Sacred Heart, I encourage you to go and visit. Our parishes are only eight miles (12 minutes) apart!

Thank you, in advance, for your patience, understanding, and support. Msgr. Elmer is looking forward to greeting you in person and beginning to serve you on 1 August. In the meantime, many thanks to him for providing pastoral care at Sacred Heart. May God continue to bless us as we strive to serve him!   

In Christ,

Father Seibt