Archdiocese Alaska Native Ministry celebrates Feast of Christ the King

A Mass on the Feast of Christ the King at St. Anthony parish in Anchorage on November 22 honored King Islanders and Teddy Mayac Sr., who created a Native cross for the archdiocese in the 1970s.

Sr. Jean Rhoads, D.C., director of Native Ministry, organized the Mass, while Kateri Circle members assisted with drumming, signing, and taking part in the liturgy. 

Before Mass began, Sr. Jean welcomed everyone and called Justin Maxwell to the ambo, who described what would happen before, during, and after Mass. Smudging followed as Gemma Gaudio drummed. 

Jim Bell and Francine Bolewicz carried out the smudging, which involves “burning natural herbs and is traditionally used by indigenous cultures to help purify and bless people and places. This act is a significant way to connect to one’s culture and traditions,” according to Sr. Jean.

A candle-lighting ceremony followed, seeing King Islanders bring a candle to a set of short tables beside the altar. They placed them down to represent a “person, an event, a special place, a vision, a hope, a value or a dream,” according to Sr. Jean. 

The King Islanders relocated to Nome and Anchorage following a devastating storm in 1974. Many had become Catholic before that, due to the efforts of the Jesuit Fathers Bellarmine Lafortune and Bernard Hubbard. Fr. Hubbard brought a 900-pound bronze statue of Christ the King to the island which stands there to this day. This makes the Feast of Christ the King especially important for the King Islanders. 

Fr. Fred Bugarin, Fr. Vince Blanco, and Fr. Tom Provinsal, S.J., from the Diocese of Fairbanks, began Mass. They followed Teddy Mayac Jr. as he processed with the Native cross and placed it in the midst of the candles.

Fr. Provinsal delivered the homily. He was invited to represent the ministry the Jesuits carried out for the King Islanders and many Alaska Native people. He spoke about the 140-year-long history of the Society of Jesus in Alaska and the role Alaska Native people have played in the Church. He noted that Alaska’s first married deacon was the Yup’ik man, Alvin Owletuk of Marshall, in 1975.  

(Left to right) Justin Maxwell, Sr. Jean, and Ashley Maxwell pose for a photograph following the Christ the King Mass. (Courtesy of Levi Livengood)

A description of the Native cross was read by Ashley Maxwell after the homily. Created for the archdiocesan Native Ministry to celebrate Alaska Native people, the cross was designed to have six feathers, each representing a different group of Native people. However, one feather had gone missing. Donald Mike brought the new eagle feather to the cross, where it was applied. Fr. Bugarin then blessed the cross with a sprig of hyssop as he prayed before the congregation. 

Fr. Fred Bugarin blesses the Native Cross after the new feather is put on. (Courtesy of Levi Livengood)

The congregation prayed the “Our Father” in Yup’ik as Gemma Gaudio and the grandchildren of Theresa and Donald Mike signed with their tegumiaks, dance fans made of feathers, fur, and other materials. 

After the Mass, many went to the basement to enjoy a potluck, featuring akutaq, fry bread, and dancing. 

Parishioners dance following the Mass. (Courtesy of Sr. Jean)

Parishioners drum following the Mass. (Courtesy of Sr. Jean)

(Top) Fr. Provinsal dances with parishioners. (Bottom) Parishioners dance and drum. (Both C0urtesy of Sr. Jean)