CatholicAnchor.org The following upcoming events are on Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz’s calendar for the month of November: Nov. 14 – 9 a.m., Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Exemplification, St. Elizabeth Nov. 14 – 3:30 p.m., Reconciliation, St. Andrew Nov. 16-19 – U.S. Bishop’s meetings, Baltimore Nov. 21 – 5:30 p.m., Mass for King Islanders Christ…
The organizer of this year’s 40 Days for Life prayer campaign in Anchorage has issued a challenge to fellow pro-life advocates to join the midpoint rally of the ongoing campaign. The Oct. 10th rally takes place at the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic at 4002 E. Lake Otis Parkway in Anchorage and will coincide with the National Protest Planned Parenthood day. The rally runs from 9-11 a.m.
The upcoming museum event will be held Oct. 29 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. It will feature short oral history vignettes presented by people who lived through some of the archdiocese’s early days. Tales of what is was like to settle Anchorage, build churches and follow vocations to the priesthood will all be part of the evening’s stories. In addition to personal memories, a more formal history will be presented in a photo montage and commentary about the archdiocese’s history.
Estill Turner previously felt the chapel was “boxy,” but now the eye flows upward and wraps the room cohesively. Stations of the Cross hang low enough to catch Kindergarteners’ interest with the drama of Christ’s Passion and a relic of Saint Pius X graces a corner shelf.
Founded during the First Crusade in the 11th century, the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre were formed as a military order, taking vows of poverty and obedience to the King of Jerusalem. However, the order’s military charism has been defunct for at least 500 years, and was modernized by Pope Pius IX in the 19th century. Since the papacy of Saint John Paul II, the order has been a public association of the faithful per canon law. Its chief charisms are to strengthen the practice of Christian life in its members, to propagate the faith, and to assist the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Catholic Church in the Holy Land.
A thousand years have passed since the first Crusade launched to defend Christians under siege in the land of Christ’s birth. A group of modern-day knights and ladies — including dozens of Alaskans — continue the work as members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. “It all got started in the Holy Land — this is where Jesus was born, grew up, worked, lived, died and rose for us,” Sir Thomas McKiernan told members of Catholic international order of knighthood. “We have been entrusted to maintain the Christian presence there.”
Area Catholic schools are fuller than last year, with more families choosing Catholic education for their children across the Anchorage Archdiocese.
After having completed two years of discernment and formation the men, along with their wives, gathered last month at Holy Spirit Center in Anchorage with Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz who officiated the Rite of Candidacy. It is one of several milestones the aspiring deacons mark on their way to final ordination.
At the upcoming Anchorage mission, attendees will gather each night at the parish for a series of talks by Father Cameron looking at how one’s Christian life can be transformed by the developments of virtues. Each night, after the mission talks, attendees are invited to an Oktoberfest meal and social in the church basement. Father Cameron will also hear confessions after the mission talk each night. Babysitting will be provided.
The following is a roundup of news briefs, notices and upcoming events from across the Archdiocese of Anchorage.