Editor's Picks
Sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit at confirmation
Since the inauguration of the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau on September 17, 2020, I have traveled to many of our parishes to celebrate the sacrament of confirmation. Usually, most confirmation celebrations…
Missionary priest brings charism to ‘proclaim the Eucharist’ to Juneau
By Dominique JohnsonThe North Star Catholic On April 7th, Father Jose Thomas, with the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, arrived in Juneau from Kerala, India, a state in the…
Teachers and students make adjustments and persevere to make pandemic school year a success
Holy Name Catholic Preschool, Ketchikan Holy Name Catholic Preschool has had a year unlike any other! Yet, our mission, values and experience have stayed the same. We used new ways to explore and learn while keeping each other as safe and healthy as possible. 2020 proved to be different in a few ways for Holy…
Parish profile: St. Therese, Skagway
By Tami M. ScimeThe North Star Catholic Nestled at the northern end of the Lynn Canal in a valley bordering Canada is the small town of Skagway. Founded in 1897, its population during the height of the gold rush swelled to over 3000. While Skagway might see a higher population during a typical summer season,…
Parish profile: St. Benedict, Anchorage
By Marcy AdkinsThe North Star Catholic Saint Benedict Parish was founded in 1966 and is located in southwest Anchorage. We are a parish of 640 families who are very active in our faith and our community. We are a home for large and well-established Samoan and Filipino communities. If there were only one word to…
St. Therese’s Camp prepares for the summer season
By Annette AllevaThe North Star Catholic After presenting a “virtual” camping experience in the summer of 2020, Saint Therese’s Camp will be fully open this year. With a COVID mitigation plan in place to keep campers, staff, and families safe, as COVID begins to abate, the camp is anticipating a return to traditional activities for…
Ask Father Leo: Why do Catholic venerate relics?
Dear Fr. LeoIs the Catholic Church the only church that venerates relics? What’s the deal with relics, anyway?G Dear G:In truth, relics are venerated not only by Catholics, but also by Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Christians. Due to some of the abuses which happened in the Middle Ages, the churches and ecclesial communities which grew…
Finding joy and unity in archdiocese transition
What an exciting and gracious feeling I had when my plane made its approach into the Juneau airport last month. Through partial clouds and sun appeared towering mountains, solitary islands, and inviting coves. It was familiar and, at the same time, unique. This familiar and unique character also deeply includes a shared faith amongst our…
CSS programs help refugees flourish with community support
June 20th is World Refugee Day, a day celebrated internationally to honor refugees worldwide – those who have fled war, violence, conflict, or persecution, and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country. We spend this time celebrating the strength of those forced to flee their home, building understanding for their plight,…
The journey to faith for St. Ignatius of Loyola
A few days ago, on May 20, the Ignatian Year began. That date marked the 500th anniversary of a cannonball shattering the right knee of a young man named Inigo Lopez de Loyola. For all of you who, like me, have had knee transplants or surgery, that sentence makes you squirm. For the young man…
An invitation to the monthly hour of prayer
Once a month, I lead an Hour of Prayer service for the archdiocese. The monthly Hour of Prayer includes a short reflection on the prayer intention for the hour, a scripture rosary led by parishioners, quiet time in adoration before the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, and concludes with Benediction. During the…
Four deacon candidates continue their path to ordination during Rite of Lector liturgy
By Deacon Dave Van TuylThe North Star Catholic On Friday evening, April 16th, Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M. celebrated Mass and presided at the Rite of Lector for the four candidates for ordination to the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau. John Ostrom (St. Patrick’s, Anchorage), Don Remer (St. Andrew’s, Eagle River), Jon Agosti (St….