The North Star Catholic / February 2016

Archdiocese arose, grew & matured between two Alaska earthquakes

Alaska, as we know, is a vast territory abundantly blessed by extravagant displays of nature’s beauty. Those living in Alaska never tire from experiencing the beauty of creation, which can be at the same time inspiring as well as dangerous. So it only makes sense that the origin of the Archdiocese of Anchorage is connected with the work of nature. It was a great earthquake of 1964 — Good Friday — that set in motion the process of establishing the archdiocese.

Catholic schools’ enrollment noticeably larger at annual Mass in Anchorage

Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz commented on the size of the growing number of Catholic students at the annual liturgy. “Each year, the student body is growing a larger number of students,” he said. “It’s really a blessing for us — for the whole archdiocese.”

Alaska viewed as ‘high priority’ by leading gay rights group

Alaska has been targeted as a “high priority” state by a leading gay rights activist group strategically looking to roll back religious liberty provisions in states that safeguard the rights of business owners, private and religious schools and other entities to operate their organizations in accord with their religious views and deeply held beliefs.