News & Coming Events across Anchorage Archdiocese

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News and upcoming events from across the Anchorage Archdiocese are listed here.

St. Andrew’s to hold Divine Mercy holy hour April 3

St. Andrew Church in Eagle River has announced plans to hold a special holy hour prayer service to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday on April 3 at 3 p.m. The gathering will include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, benediction, a sung chaplet and other prayers.

Devotion to the Divine Mercy originates in the early 1900s, when Jesus Christ appeared to Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, a nun and former peasant girl in Poland. He presented himself as the Divine Mercy and asked Sister Kowalska to have the image drawn and then promulgate devotion to him under that title. He told her that “humanity will not find peace until it turns trustfully to divine mercy.”

In the apparition, Jesus Christ stood with two large rays, one red and the other white, coming from his heart. Respectively, they signified Christ’s blood “which is the life of souls,” and the water “which makes souls righteous” that poured out when his heart was opened by a lance during his crucifixion.

In 2000, Blessed Pope John Paul II established “Divine Mercy Sunday” – the Sunday after Easter – as the church-wide feast honoring the Divine Mercy.

Starting on Good Friday, many faithful pray a novena – a series of prayers said across nine days – focusing on the mercy that comes from Christ’s death and resurrection.

Upcoming talk on Christian health care options

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Anchorage will be offering a presentation on Samaritan Ministries, a Christian health sharing organization whereby members assist one another with medical expenses through voluntary giving. Health sharing is not health insurance. Rather, the focus of Samaritan Ministries’ need sharing is not on what members might receive financially if they have a need, but on how they can help others with the needs they have right now.

More than 50,000 households from all 50 states and several foreign countries are actively sharing health care needs of more than $15 million each month.

The upcoming informational meeting in Anchorage will offer extensive information on Samaritan Ministries for those looking for alternative ways to cover health costs which are in accordance with their religious beliefs.

This method meets all federal requirements for health care. The presentation will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church on Huffman Road at 7 p.m. on Thursday April 14. For more information about Samaritan Ministries go online to samaritanministries.org.

Healing Mass at St. Andrew Church

St. Andrew Church in Eagle River will have a special Mass on Friday, May 13, at 7 p.m. for those who have experienced pain in pregnancy and for those who have suffered the loss of a child. Following Mass there will be light refreshments and an opportunity for group prayer and fellowship with others who have experienced painful losses. For more information, contact Elizabeth Ministry Coordinator Jo Martin at (907) 441-8917.

Consecration to Jesus through his Blessed Mother

On Saturday, April 16 at 11 a.m., all are invited to a special ceremony of consecration to Jesus through his Blessed Mother, hosted by the Legion of Mary. The ceremony, also known in Latin as the Acies, is the great central annual function of the Legion of Mary, in which members of the group solemnly renew their declaration of fidelity to Christ and his Blessed Mother. The ceremony will take place at St. Benedict Church and will include praying the rosary, a sermon by Father Leo Walsh, collective and individual consecration to the Blessed Virgin and benediction. A reception in the parish hall will follow. The event is open to all.

Anchorage parish seeks youth-young adult minister

St. Benedict Catholic Church in Anchorage is seeking a youth and young adult minister who “wants to be part of bringing the New Evangelization on the Last Frontier.” The parish is looking for candidates who are “dynamic, spirit-filled” individuals who are “passionate about his/her relationship with Christ, the Catholic Church, and in helping others grow in the faith.” The position is full-time and will focus on the high school youth ministry program, the confirmation program, retreats, pilgrimages, mission trips and other youth activities. Candidate should have a bachelor’s degree in pastoral theology, youth and young adult ministry or a related field is required. Résumé, references and a cover letter should be sent to Bob McMorrow at rmcmorrow@stbenedictsak.com

CSS Charity Ball set for May 7

Catholic Social Services will hold its annual Charity Ball on May 7, 5:30 p.m. at the Hotel Captain Cook. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Celebrate Catholic Social Services’ 50 years of Serving Alaskans!” For information on how to participate in the event by attending, donating auction items, advertising through Catholic Social Services many channels or volunteering, contact Tricia Teasley at tteasley@cssalaska.org or call 222-7355.

Youth Conference runs June 6-9

Registrations are being accepted for the next Alaska Catholic Youth Conference, which will run June 6-9 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral and Lumen Christi High School in Anchorage. This year’s theme is “Boundless Mercy.”

Annually more than 200 youth from across Alaska attend the gathering. The three-day conference includes liturgies with Alaska’s three bishops, social activities, service projects, interactive workshops and music concerts, all aimed at inspiring faith.

The opening keynote speaker for this year’s event will be Bishop Frank Caggiano, head of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn.

ACYC is sponsored by the Alaska Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Archdiocese of Anchorage. For more information, contact ACYC Coordinator Bonnie Bezousek via email at bbezousek@caa-ak.org or by phone at 297-7732. Interested attendees may also contact Matthew Beck, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Anchorage Archdiocese, at mbeck@caa-ak.org or 297-7734.

Mat-Su Catholic school’s annual auction

Our Lady of the Valley School in Wasilla will hold its 9th annual dinner auction on April 16 at the Curtis Menard Sports Center in Wasilla. Tickets are $55. Reserved table seating is available. Donations and sponsors are being accepted. For more information, call 376-0883.

Abortion healing outreach offers healing approach

Project Rachel is a confidential support group for post-abortive women and others who have been impacted by abortion. The group meets in Anchorage. The ministry of the Archdiocese of Anchorage helps those from all faith backgrounds who may be suffering from the emotional trauma of abortion. The group is free and open to the public with the aim of fostering healing, peace and reconciliation with the Lord. For more information, call the group’s confidential phone line at 297-7781 or toll-free (866) 434-3344.

Summer Catholic camp registration

The summer’s first session of St. Therese’s Camp in the Mat-Su Valley begins June 22. According to a notice from the Catholic camp, its programming for children in grades 3-8 includes “swimming, kayaking, canoeing, singing, campfires, archery, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, arts and crafts and outdoor skills training in a fun and vibrant lakefront setting in the Mat-Su Valley while sharing the joy of the Catholic Faith.” For more information go online to stthereseak.com or call (907) 232-2066.

Mass celebrated at Native hospital

Every Sunday at 11 a.m., Mass is celebrated at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage for patients and families. Masses are celebrated in Conference Room 2, near the cafeteria.

Weekly children’s Mass in Anchorage

On Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Father Joseph McGilloway at Holy Cross Church in Anchorage is offering a Mass geared toward children. Attendees are encourage to bring homeschoolers, toddlers and nursing babes. People without children are welcome too.

UAA club connects Catholic students

The Cardinal Newman Club at the University of Alaska, Anchorage meets in the Cuddy Hall cafeteria area for prayer and Scripture reflection on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and Fridays at 9 a.m. Students who wish to connect with fellow Catholic students on campus may contact the Newman Club chairperson Garrett Rossing at 715-0776 or garrettrossing@gmail.com.

Speaker to tackle religious issues

Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, a world-renowned commentator on religious issues and guest speaker on EWTN, will be in Anchorage this spring.

Though a specialist in the interpretation of Scripture and tradition, D’Ambrosio’s teaching has covered a broad range of subjects from historical, dogmatic and sacramental theology to evangelization, ecumenism and Vatican II.

The public is invited to an evening presentation with D’Ambrosio at St. Benedict Church in Anchorage on May 23 from 7-8:30 p.m. For more information, call the parish at 243-2195 or visit stbenedictsak.com.