By Dominique JohnsonThe North Star Catholic When he was 16 years old, Deacon Madison Hayes felt called to the priesthood while on a confirmation retreat. “The Lord spoke to me profoundly there and that call never went away,” Hayes said. Sixteen years later, Hayes was ordained a Deacon for the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau in St….
By Annette AllevaThe North Star Catholic If you have ever attended an archdiocesan liturgical celebration at the cathedrals in Anchorage over the years, you have hopefully indulged in the reception offerings provided, for many years, by the women of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. However, this local chapter, or court, of the larger organization—which…
The Hennemann Family As Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School (OLV) alumni, we are proud of our Catholic education. Of the seven children in our household, three are alumni, and four are currently enrolled, with the youngest in preschool. Our parents appreciate that they can drop us off and pick us up together, at…
By Joe SehnertDirector, National Shrine of St. Thérèse There are unique places on this earth where one can feel the presence of God. Nestled in the vast 17 million acres of the Tongass National Forest is one of those touch-soul places, the National Shrine of St. Thérèse. Here, Alaska’s patroness continues to call pilgrims to…
By Cathy BollingSt. John by the Sea Parish, Klawock Saint John by the Sea Parish in Klawock serves the Catholic community on Prince of Wales Island, home to about 4,000 residents. Prince of Wales was named a mission in 1925 by Bishop Joseph Crimont. Bishop Michael Kenny appointed full-time ministers in 1983, and in 1992,…
By Carol HeplerOur Lady of the Lake Parish, Big Lake Our Lady of the Lake is in Big Lake, Alaska, north of Wasilla on the Parks Highway. The first church building was built in 1966. Two weeks after it was finished, it burned to the ground. Mass was celebrated at Big Lake Elementary until a…
By Rita FaySt. Andrew Parish, Eagle River St. Andrew is the Catholic parish of the Chugiak-Eagle River area near Anchorage. The church was established in 1963 as a mission of St. Anthony Parish and was designated as a separate parish in 1967. The first church building was known as the “basement church” because parishioners met…
By Father Pat Travers The North Star Catholic Among the special celebrations in which we engage during November as a Church and as a Nation is November 11–Veterans’ Day–the national holiday that honors all the men and women who have served in the armed forces. This day was originally chosen to commemorate the end of…
By Julie DeKreonThe North Star Catholic In this month of gratitude, we recognize that many of our greatest blessings come to us as people who love and accompany us throughout our lives. Stewards of the faith come in all ages and across all ministries, and they inspire us by their example of loving and following…
Dear Fr. Leo:Jesus got one hundred percent of his earthly stuff from his mother…her blood type, her DNA, her good looks, etc. So, when we receive the Eucharist, which IS the body and blood of Jesus, aren’t we also receiving her? – M Dear M:An interesting speculation. The crux of the matter lies in the…