Yup’ik Alaska Native parishioners receive First Communion

Three Yup’ik children honored their faith and their culture when they received their First Communion at St. Anthony parish in Anchorage on May 16. 

Each first communicant wore a special kuspuk, a hooded overshirt traditional in many parts of Alaska. Celia Haskins, 9, wore a pink kuspuk. Dionna Weaver, 9, wore a white kuspuk, and her cousin, Jeremy Weaver, 8, also wore a white kuspuk. Celia’s pink kuspuk was a gift from Aggie Bostrom, a parishioner of St. Anthony. Agnes Weaver, the grandmother of Dionna and Jeremy, made the white kuspuks years ago, which were used for other First Communions in their family.  

(Left to right) Dionna Weaver, Celia Haskins, and Jeremy Weaver pose following Mass. (Courtesy of Deirdre Powers)

“It was a special part of the regular Native Mass, and all the parents were delighted,” says Sr. Jean Rhoads, D.C., Director of Native Ministry for the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau. The Woods (Celia’s family) and the Weavers were in attendance as Fr. Luz Flores, chaplain for Catholic Native Ministry, concelebrated the children’s First Communion Mass with Fr. Fred Bugarin, and Fr. Pat Travers. 

Though Sr. Jean directed these parishioners’ faith formation, their relatives played key roles. 

“Celia’s sister, Angelika, and their grandmother, Agnes Woods, both helped instruct Celia in these two sacraments,” says Sr. Jean. “They were able to help me teach her.” 

Celia Haskins poses with her family following Mass. (Courtesy of Deirdre Powers)

For the Weavers, the process was slightly different. Sr. Jean was more directly involved and instructed Dionna and Jeremy.

“Their grandmother supported them. She was present the whole time for their lessons at the table,” says Sr. Jean. Despite having difficulty seeing and hearing, Agnes Weaver was always attentive to her grandchildren’s learning. She accompanied them to Mass every week when she could. Their grandfather, Richard Weaver, consistently drove them. 

Dionna and Jeremy Weaver stand with their family following Mass. (Courtesy of Deirdre Powers)

Celia, Dionna, and Jeremy’s families were excited to see them wear their kuspuks, headdresses, and mukluks at Mass. Celia used dance fans for the first time to sign the Our Father, and Dionna and Jeremy brought up the gifts during the offertory. 

For these three Alaska Native parishioners, the assistance of the archdiocese’s Native Ministry and the dedication and attention of their families, particularly their grandmothers, Agnes Woods and Agnes Weaver, honored their culture and deepened their relationship with Christ as they received Him in the Eucharist.

Dionna and Jeremy Weaver pose with their family. (Courtesy of Deirdre Powers)