The Samaritan CounselingCenter of the Mohawk Valley, Inc.

Sonya stands out as a leader and one of the most dedicated, attentive and capable volunteers who make Seeds of Hope food pantry operate effectively. (Seeds of Hope food pantry is run by a coalition of churches and housed at First Presbyterian Church in Utica.) Sonya coordinates all the volunteers, involving recruiting and training sufficient numbers of escorts for our neighbors who visit on Tuesday and Thursday mornings together with several people who work the check-in desk. Sonya communicates effectively and compassionately with many people who may be from a different culture or nations, she knows and demonstrates the delicacy required to protect the personal privacy of each neighbor. Overseeing the work and capably addressing any misunderstandings that arise. Sensitive to the need for Seeds of Hope to be true to its legal requirements yet equally sensitive to the personal situations of all our neighbors and volunteers. Things simply “go better” when she is present. Sonya also serves on the Coordinating Committee of Seeds of Hope and actively participates at meetings, She functions as an “ambassador” to other groups with whom Seeds of Hope interacts, such as other food pantries, the Utica School System which operates a pre-school program in the church building, the Refugee Center and Hamilton College which has supplies student volunteers to Seeds of Hope. Sonya’s dedication to the organization is admirable and she is very capable leader– quiet and strong. As the Bible story goes, Sonya never leaves anyone “in the ditch,” but makes sure they are fed and cared for.

At 94 years old, Msgr. Kantor is the second oldest priest in the Syracuse Diocese. Despite being retired from the priesthood for nearly 20 years, Msgr. Kantor fills his days with work, prayer and laughter.I love people, I always did,” he said. He still celebrates daily Mass, visits the sick and elderly, sings at community gatherings and takes part in the rosaries said for the troops overseas, rain or shine, by the grotto of St. Mary’s Church in New York Mills. If it’s rain, rather than shine, Msgr. Kantor said he occasionally says the rosary while seated in his car. “I am 94, you know.” Msgr. Kantor was born in 1914 in New York Mills to parents who had emigrated from Poland. As the fifth of 10 children, Msgr. Kantor had to work for three years at the local Dunlop Tire and Rubber plant to earn the money to enroll at St. John Kanty College in Erie, Pa. From there, he entered St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester and was ordained by Bishop Walter Foery on June 5, 1943. He celebrated his first Mass at St. Mary’s the next day. Msgr. Kantor’s first assignment was as associate pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Syracuse. In 1948 he was transferred to Holy Trinity Parish in Utica, where he also served as chaplain to the Utica Police Department. Eight years later, he moved to Blessed Sacrament in Syracuse. In 1960, Msgr. Kantor was assigned to St. Mary’s Church in New York Mills. Along with being associate pastor, he also taught religion at Utica Catholic Academy and was Chaplain of the Newman Club at Utica College. His first assignment as pastor was in 1962 at St. Joseph’s Church in Oriskany Falls. Two years later he moved to St. Stephen’s Church, Syracuse. He became pastor of Transfiguration Church in Rome in 1967 and then moved to Sacred Heart Parish in Syracuse in 1970. While there, he helped organize the Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council #6282. On Dec. 8, 1971, Msgr. Kantor was elevated to Honorary Prelate to His Holiness and became a monsignor. After decades of service throughout the diocese, after trips to the Vatican and Medjugorje, after municipal awards and honorary celebrations, Msgr. Kantor says the best part of his life is still the Masses he used to enjoy attending as a boy.