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PHOTOS | Blessing of Students 2026

“I think the true blessing is when students like myself come here to Syracuse University and find out that they belong. To find a community of people who look like you, eat like you, and pray with you. But here at Hendricks Chapel, they took it a step further, to help us all feel just as much at home with people who look different to us, who speak a different language, who call out to God by another name,” said Sahana Anand, president of the Hindu Student Association at SU. “Whatever name we call him by, God brought us together here for a purpose, and it has been a privilege to walk this purpose with you all during my time here at Syracuse University. I really believe that gratitude can get you out of the darkest times and I would like to thank you all for giving us so much to be grateful for.”

“But here at Hendricks Chapel, they took it a step further, to help us all feel just as much at home with people who look different to us, who speak a different language, who call out to God by another name.” —Sahana Anand, president of the Hindu Student Association at SU

The Annual Blessing of Students at Hendricks Chapel is the kick-off for all commencement activities. Our many chaplains came together to bless our seniors with prayers and chants from their own faith traditions. Thanks to all who attended. It was a remarkable and memorable event.

Photos by Md Zobayer Hossain Joati

The Hendricks Chapel Choir Visits South Africa to Engage and Connect with Choirs Throughout the Country

On May 12, The Hendricks Chapel Choir of Syracuse University, a 50-person premier mixed ensemble, will arrive in South Africa. This tour marks the first trip to the African continent for the choir. In each city visited, the students will have the chance to perform and learn alongside local artists.  

The choir’s appearances in South Africa will include an eclectic collection of music crafted for choir and organ, including compositions by Antonio Vivaldi, Cecilia McDowall, Paul Basler, Jennifer Lucy Cook, Jeffrey Ames and Hendricks Chapel Choir Director José “Peppie” Calvar. Additionally, the Hendricks Chapel Choir will perform arrangements of traditional South African tunes to honor their host country. 

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PHOTO GALLERY | Easter Sunday and Holy Week with the Roman Catholic and Christian Protestant Chaplaincies—2026

During Christian Holy Week, our chaplaincies hosted many events for students, staff/faculty and the broader community. Over 1,500 community members attended Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday services at Hendricks Chapel and the SU Catholic Center. Thank you to all who attended!

For more info on our chaplaincies and services, visit our chaplaincy page!

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Syracuse University, Hendricks Chapel Featured in Fox Nation’s ‘America’s Churches’

Hendricks Chapel goes national on Fox Nation!

Whether you are celebrating Easter, Passover, Eid, Diwali or Nirvana Day, Hendricks Chapel is the place for you! And now, everyone knows thanks to Fox Nation! Tania Joseph ’18, a producer at Fox, wrote to Hendricks Chapel last October to inquire about featuring Hendricks and Syracuse University in a new show hosted by Benjamin Hall entitled “America’s Churches.”

As a multifaith chapel that is home to 15 chaplains who cover six world religions, we feel grateful to be included in the series! The 25-minute show includes interviews, historical footage and a tour of the campus. The communications team at Hendricks Chapel would like to thank the entire crew from Fox and our central communications team for being such lovely partners. 

Hall interviewed students from SU Catholic Center and Syracuse Hillel, our Sports Chaplain William Payne (Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Coach Fran Brown, Coach Felicia Legette-Jack, former dean Rev. Brian Konkol, and Chancellor Kent Syverud. An additional short video highlighting the new SU Catholic building is also offered on Fox Nation’s site!

Learn more and watch the show: https://go.syr.edu/comms/AmericasChurches

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Students Build Bridges Across Beliefs

The Global Interfaith Leadership Project combines religious and spiritual formation with practical civic engagement.

by Dara Harper

In a world increasingly shaped by both connection and division, a diverse group of students is embarking on a distinctive journey of leadership and learning. The Global Interfaith Leadership Project (GILP), housed at Hendricks Chapel, represents a pioneering approach to preparing tomorrow’s leaders by combining religious and spiritual formation with practical civic engagement.

Read more!

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Threads of Kindness: Quilters Serve Syracuse Community

John Boccacino
Feb. 23, 2026

There’s warmth emanating from the Noble Room in the lower level of Hendricks Chapel every Monday night whenever classes are in session.

Every sewing machine buzzes and hums as the members of the Hendricks Chapel Quilters make handmade quilts that will keep vulnerable Central New Yorkers warm during the winter months.

“Those are chaotic nights. Everybody is working on a project that will end up at one of our partner charities,” says quilting enthusiast Judy O’Rourke ’75, G’10. “It’s nice knowing you’re helping someone out, and it’s nice knowing that something I enjoy doing is giving somebody else comfort.”

Three women sit around a table in a cozy room, working at sewing machines on colorful quilts.
Judy O’Rourke (center) is one of the passionate members of the Hendricks Chapel Quilters who share a love of sewing and community. (Photo by Eliza Shenk ’28)

O’Rourke is one of 10-15 active members of the Hendricks Chapel Quilters—consisting of students, staff, faculty and community members—who put their love of sewing to good use weekly to produce beautiful quilts…

Read more about the Hendricks Chapel Quilters on the SU Today website!

4 Named as 2026 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration’s Unsung Heroes

This year’s Unsung Heroes will be recognized during a virtual celebration, available Saturday, Feb. 28, on the Hendricks Chapel YouTube channel.

by Kelly Homan Rodoski

The 41st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Planning Committee has announced the 2026 Unsung Hero Award winners: Jamie Sterling ’26, Eman Tadros, Pass Da R.O.C.K and Bettie Graham.

The Unsung Hero Award is given to community members, students, faculty and staff who have made a positive impact on the lives of others but are not widely recognized for their contributions. The awards were created to honor Dr. King’s vision of creating positive change in a troubled world.

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Peace Feast Builds Bridges Between Christian and Muslim Students

Submitted by Joanna Lumbsden-Pinto, Ph.D.


On April 26, 2025, a small group of students gathered around a table for what would become the first “Peace Feast,” an interfaith initiative designed to cultivate friendship, trust, and meaningful dialogue between Christian and Muslim students at Syracuse University and SUNY-ESF.

Peace Feast was envisioned as a sacred space — one where students could speak openly about their faith, listen deeply to one another’s stories, and build relationships grounded in mutual respect.

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