Editor's Picks
St. Andrew’s parish ministers with handmade prayer shawls
An Eagle River parish reached a milestone of 1,000 prayer shawls created by a faithful group of 20-plus women over the past 11 years. Dolores Coates of St. Andrew…
The Holy Family teaches us many lessons, including to respect life | La Sagrada Familia nos enseña muchas lecciones, entre ellas, la de respetar la vida
I learned respect for life from my family. My parents cared for our family, but their care and actions to protect and nurture life extended well beyond the immediate family.…
The Holy Spirit Center inspires a sister’s vocation
The Holy Spirit Center in Anchorage can open one’s ears to God’s calling: a vocation. Derived from the Latin word for “to call,” a person’s vocation is the way they are called by God to express their love for Him through their daily acts and thoughts. Some are called to build families in love as…
Pray for and remember the dead through soul cakes
Seeking the intercession of the saints and praying for the souls of the dead are ancient practices in the Catholic Church that have given rise to many traditions. The Church dedicates the first days of November to honoring and keeping the dead in their prayers. First are the saints on All Saints Day, November 1,…
Ask Fr. Leo: Burial and cremation
Dear U.T., I’m very sorry for your loss. May your relative rest in peace. The Church is very benevolent in her norms regarding the disposition of one’s remains, but it is helpful to see it in the broader context. The Order of Christian Funerals has three main rites: the Vigil for the Deceased, the…
The year of St. Francis and respect for the value of human dignity
Early in the year, Pope Leo XIV declared 2026 to be a special jubilee year honoring St. Francis of Assisi. In particular, Catholics and Christians everywhere are called to renew our commitment to the sanctity of human life but also to uphold the dignity of every human being. Man and woman were created in the…
How the Education Freedom Tax Credit benefits students and donors
The Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau have long been a cornerstone of faith formation, academic excellence, and service to the community. Yet for many families, the cost of tuition can place a Catholic education beyond reach. The Education Freedom Tax Credit offers a powerful solution by creating scholarship opportunities for students while providing…
Help address root causes of poverty through supporting Catholic Campaign for Human Development
“I have Loved You” (Rev. 3:9) “We must talk about poverty, because people insulated by their own comfort lose sight of it.” This quote from Servant of God Dorothy Day would make most of us uncomfortable, which would seem to be the point. How easy it is to not see or to ignore the suffering…
October blessed with apostles of mercy
The Catholic Church celebrates many great and well-known saints in October: our patroness, Thérèse of Lisieux (Oct. 1); the famous Francis of Assisi (Oct. 4); the very popular, and modern Carlo Acutis (Oct. 12); and Luke the Evangelist (Oct. 18). The month is full with other wonderful saints as well as the Feast of Our…
Embracing God’s will with humility | Aceptar la voluntad de Dios con humildad
Forty-eight years ago, on November 4, 1978, I professed my final vows as a Vincentian: poverty, chastity, obedience, and stability (the commitment to remain a Vincentian for life). Over the years, people occasionally ask me which of the vows is the most difficult to live. Each time I am asked that question, I believe the…
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton welcomes new principal
Molly McManamin began her role as principal of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School in Anchorage this fall. She brings years of experience, gratitude, and a desire to continue to guide the school toward excellence. McManamin is a third-generation Alaskan born in Anchorage. She attended university in Tacoma and returned to begin her career and…
Holy Spirit Center welcomes a new director
Michelle Waclawski began her role as Executive Director of Holy Spirit Center in Anchorage on July 14. Over the course of eight weeks, from mid-June to mid-August, she oversaw operations as over 1000 volunteer hours contributed to clearing weeds, putting new coats of paint on walls, and unveiling the years of love and care that…