Editor's Picks
Big Lake parish celebrates life as a Catholic community
Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Big Lake has roots as deep as the archdiocese. Its first church building was completed and dedicated in 1966, the same year that…
6 Washington Catholics help remodel hall of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Wrangell
Six men from St. Michael Parish in Olympia, Washington, traveled to Wrangell for a week to help parishioners remodel the St. Rose of Lima Parish hall in early June. “Please…
Ask Fr. Leo: Tattoos on the temple of the Holy Spirit
Dear Fr. Leo, What does the church teach about tattoos? I was always told it was forbidden. — A Dear A, Believe it or not, there is nothing in the Catechism that forbids tattoos per se. There is a text from Leviticus 19 that some look to for such a prohibition, but when viewed in the…
What the storm of Galilee teaches you and me
There’s a fierce storm on the Sea of Galilee, and in its midst, a nearly capsized boat full of terrified disciples. The story of Jesus calming this storm is recounted in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke during this summer of Ordinary Time. But what does it mean for us? I like to get…
Catholic Social Services opens new shelter in Anchorage, providing 83 new beds for homeless
Catholic Social Services accomplished a milestone on June 6 with the help of all of you and many incredible partners. Together, we added 83 new beds to the shelter system at a time when it’s most needed. Thanks to so much hard work from our team, Complex Care at 303 W. Fireweed in Anchorage opened,…
Fr. Shields’ trip to Rome: Canonization of St. Charles de Foucauld
“Father, I abandon myself into your hands.” I went on a pilgrimage to Rome to witness the canonization of St. Charles De Foucauld on May 15. I want to thank Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., for sponsoring my travels to celebrate the canonization of St. Foucauld. The archbishop knew how important this event was for me…
Archdiocese hires new director to oversee faith formation ministries, Catholic schools
Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau hired Liz Loeffler as its new director of faith formation. She began her new role at the beginning of July. Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., asks everyone to join him in welcoming Loeffler as the new director of faith formation for the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau. In this role, Loeffler will lead archdiocesan…
6 Washington Catholics help remodel hall of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Wrangell
Six men from St. Michael Parish in Olympia, Washington, traveled to Wrangell for a week to help parishioners remodel the St. Rose of Lima Parish hall in early June. “Please offer a prayer for each of them and their needs,” said Father Steven Gallagher on Facebook about the “Missionary Six,” as he calls them —…
Deacon Gary Horton dies at age 85 in May
Deacon Gary Horton, one of the earliest permanent deacons to serve the former Diocese of Juneau, died on May 16, 2022. He was 85 years old. A funeral Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Juneau on June 8. Deacon Horton was interred at the columbarium at…
Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau celebrates synod closing Mass on Pentecost
Upon the end of the diocesan phase of the synod on Pentecost Sunday, June 5, the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau celebrated the synod closing Mass, which brought archdiocesan parishes and their parishioners’ respective cultures together for the first time since the new archdiocese was unified in September 2020. During the Mass, which was held at the…
Little Sisters of Jesus offer years of service to Alaska communities
The Little Sisters of Jesus, who have been crucial to the growth of Catholic communities across the globe, will celebrate the 70th anniversary of its founder’s arrival to Alaska in August. The first community of the Little Sisters of Jesus was started by Sister Magdeleine Hutin in 1939. They follow in the footsteps of Saint…
Archdiocese welcomes new chancellor as unification efforts continue
Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., announced that Vicar General Father Patrick “Fr. Pat” Travers will be the new chief operating officer and chancellor for the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau. He replaces John Harmon, who retires later this month after serving the church in Alaska for 10 years. “As the archdiocese moves forward, we are fortunate to have…