The North Star Catholic / ALASKA NEWS Archives - Page 104 of 139

Annual Red Mass set for Alaska’s attorneys, lawmakers

The annual Red Mass takes place on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Anchorage. Held in many American cities, the Red Mass is a special liturgy for all who practice law, especially asking God’s guidance for attorneys, judges and politicians. Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz will celebrate the Mass, which will be followed by a brunch and presentation at the downtown Marriott Hotel. Father Patrick Travers, the judicial vicar for all three dioceses in Alaska, will give a talk entitled: “The foundation of Natural Law in American Law.”

Historic cathedral marks a century of sharing the Gospel in Alaska

Anchorage’s oldest church marked a momentous milestone on Sept. 15 — that was the day Holy Family Cathedral turned 100. Celebration of the centenary reflected the joy and solemnity that many parishioners felt in being part of the mother church of the Anchorage Archdiocese. Marked by great festivity, the centennial Mass was celebrated by Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz accompanied by 13 priests, including several former pastors of the cathedral.

Archbishop urges Alaskans to uphold the dignity and safety of all

Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz is encouraging parents to enroll their children in the archdiocese’s safe environment program, “Circle of Grace.” The program provides information to children about their value and sacredness and the importance of asking people they trust to help them when they feel mistreated or when they are exposed to things that make them uncomfortable.

Archbishop’s Oct. Calendar

The following is a listing of events and liturgies that Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz plans to attend and celebrate in the month of October.

Archbishop invites area Catholics to St. Francis Awards banquet

Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz has extended an invitation to area Catholics to attend the Oct. 8 St. Francis Stewardship Awards in Anchorage. The annual banquet honors Alaskans who serve the church in the spirit of Saint Francis.

Newly canonized saint has ties to Alaska’s first Mass

On Feb. 11, 1779 two Spanish ships slipped away from the dock at San Blas, Mexico and sailed into the dark toward Alaska. Three Catholic priests had joined the perilous mission — Father Juan Antonió Garcia Riobó and Father Matiás de Santa Catalina Noriega, Franciscans from Mexico, and Father Cristóbal Antonio Díaz, a secular priest from Peru.

Photo project for Anchorage Archdiocese was a ‘spiritual journey’

There are scenes of parish celebrations, children’s programs, liturgies, church dedications and most evident, the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, first communion, matrimony and even ordinations. The inclusion of the various cultural groups and celebration with Alaska Natives in church as well as in their communities is very evident, too.

Alaskans to begin 40-day pray campaign outside Planned Parenthood

CatholicAnchor.org Alaskans are invited to participate in the international fall prayer campaign of 40 Days for Life. The annual event will begin with a kick-off rally on Tuesday Sept. 22 from 7-8 p.m. The following day, Sept. 23, the peaceful prayer campaign will run from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. for 40 days at the Planned Parenthood…

Alaska World Youth Day pilgrims urged to register early to save spot

In less than a year, a group of Alaskans will head to Kraków, Poland with millions of youth from around the world for the World Youth Day gathering with Pope Francis. According to local organizers, those intending to make the pilgrimage need to register soon in order to guarantee a spot.

Young Alaska Native embraces Catholic faith & tribal traditions

Traditional Yup’ik dance was a form of prayer, a ritualistic plea to the spirit world in the land that would one day be known as Alaska. In that long-ago age, the shaman donned masks representing animal spirits and led the tribe in singing, dancing and drumming to petition the spirits for specific needs. In the late 1800s Christian missionaries including Jesuit priests banned the Natives’ ancient ceremonial dancing, condemning it as evil pagan idolatry.