Ketchikan’s ‘Port to Pew’ ministry

At Holy Name parish in Ketchikan, Catholics aboard the numerous cruise ships touring the Inside Passage can disembark and be shuttled for free to attend Mass. Parishes in Juneau and Haines have offered similar services in the past. 

This ministry in Ketchikan has brought thousands to Mass over the past 20 years, supported by the generosity of the parish. 

2026 is Bryan and Theresa Schulz’s third summer helping the Port to Pew ministry. They assist by coordinating drivers, gathering passengers at the port, gathering passengers after Mass, and creating a welcoming presence. 

“Theresa carries a sign on site and gets people loaded in the vehicles,” Bryan said. Parishioners of Holy Name help Bryan and Theresa. The parishioners volunteer to drive vans provided by the ministry. 

“Most Sundays we will have 10,000-12,000 tourists. So, we’re running back and forth between the four berths on a long pier,” said Bryan. On the busiest days, six cruise ships are docked in Ketchikan, four occupying the downtown Port of Ketchikan’s berths, and two occupying the northern Ward Cove Terminal berths. 

“At a busy Mass,” Bryan said, passengers in attendance number “at least 100. Never less than 50 on Sundays.” 

Guests wait to get in the van to go to Mass.

Passengers find out about the ministry in a few ways. Some discover it on Holy Name’s website. Others learn about it from talking with Bryan or Theresa at the port, or just by word-of-mouth. 

“Before they get to the church, I let them know about the Marian garden they can visit and the prayer time for the rosary at 9 a.m.,” Theresa said. “They are excited about praying the rosary. If it’s closer to 9:30 a.m., they head to Mass. After Mass, they express their gratitude.”

The cruise ship passengers they bring to Mass come from all over: Indonesia, China, Australia, across the United States, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the Philippines, and more. 

“We always engage them in conversation. We learn their name, history, and invite them to church, showing them a happy face,” Theresa said. “It’s really exciting, because you can meet some cool people.” She recalled how she complimented one Mexican visitor’s rosary scapular made with beads featuring the Stations of the Cross. After Mass, he gave it to her. 

Theresa said, “You meet people who are really awesome, or who think you are really awesome.”

On another occasion, Theresa witnessed a man propose to his girlfriend in the parish’s Marian garden, which he hadn’t known about until Theresa showed it to him. 

Bryan said, “The gentleman was looking for the right spot to propose and found the Marian garden, which isn’t well advertised. We joke that Theresa is a matchmaker part-time.” 

Guests prepare for Mass at Holy Name.

Bryan and Theresa find their ministry fulfilling. They see people willing to set time aside to attend Mass on vacation, and these people are gracious toward Bryan and Theresa for helping them attend Mass. 

Bryan said regarding their ministry, “Without fail, the visitors are happy that the transportation service is provided.”

Theresa said, “It’s a joy. I look forward to meeting new people and facilitating their ability to attend Mass.”

When Catholics take their first step into Ketchikan, it is a comfort to know Bryan and Theresa will be there, ready to welcome them to church.  

All pictures courtesy of Shelly Tradel.