When Sr. Jean Rhoads, D.C. and Liz Loeffler began their June 2026 trip to Juneau, Haines, Klawock, Ketchikan, and Sitka, they went to seek opportunities for the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau to engage youth, young adult, and Alaska Native Catholics. “We wanted to identify ways to support our youth and young adults,” said Loeffler, archdiocesan director…
(Photo credit for featured image, Tanya Somerville) Today we celebrate the dedication of our new church and the sacrament of Confirmation. Our Confirmandi have dedicated significant time and effort to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. Similarly, all of you have prepared diligently to dedicate this new church, which has risen from the ashes of…
As the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau celebrates the Feast of St. John Vianney on Aug. 9, it’s a good time to remember the life of St. John Vianney and to pray for more priestly vocations in the archdiocese. St. John Vianney (1786-1859), patron of parish priests, is revered for his ability to read the hearts of…
Alaska is a state renowned for its natural beauty and wonderous sights, drawing over 3 million visitors annually. The National Shrine of St. Thérèse in Juneau is unique in this regard, calling to people worldwide for its natural and spiritual beauty. Many pilgrims journey to Santiago de Compostela, or walk the streets of Rome and…
El Camino de Santiago (“The Way of St. James”) is one of the oldest pilgrimages in the Catholic Church. The pilgrimage began in the 9th century with a king’s journey to validate a hermit’s claims of finding the bones of St. James at Compostela in Galicia, the northwestern region of Spain. Pilgrims from all over…
On August 10 we celebrate the Feast of St. Lawrence. The deacons of the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau continue to serve according to his model. St. Lawrence was appointed Archdeacon of Rome in 257 A.D. by Pope Sixtus II. He was in charge of the treasury and riches of the Church, distributing alms to widows and…
Q: Dear Fr. Leo, I am a baptized Catholic and I am looking to return to the Church. I have been married to a wonderful Christian man for the past 32 years. He is an elder in his (Protestant) church. We did not have a Catholic wedding. He supports my return, but he is confused…
In a recent Sunday gospel reading, Christ proclaimed these significant words. Naturally I was drawn to the message of the gospel, but also its relationship to the work we do at Catholic Social Services (CSS) on behalf of Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., and all of the Catholics who make up the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau. As…