The North Star Catholic / ALASKA NEWS Archives - Page 105 of 137

McCarthy man faithfully commutes 260-miles for Sunday Mass

Some Catholics take the challenges of making it to Sunday Mass head-on, quite literally. Such was the case with George Cebula — a 75-year-old who lives in remote McCarthy at the foot of Alaska’s Wrangell Mountains. On a recent Sunday he left his home at 6 a.m. and began the 130-mile trip to the nearest Catholic parish. Cebula regularly makes this four hour trip, which sometimes includes dealing with flat tires, stubborn buffalo, moose and other Alaska wildlife, road washouts and come what may in the form of obstacles between him and Holy Eucharist.

Catholic Anchor wins 7 national awards

The Catholic Anchor earned seven awards for excellence in journalism at the annual national competition sponsored by the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada (CPA). The awards, for work published in 2014. Now in its 16th year of operation the Catholic Anchor consistently wins in secular and religious journalism competitions. This year’s seven awards are in addition to the three awards received earlier this year from the Alaska Press Association.

Mahoney clan’s Marian grotto cut from Alaska, open to pilgrims

At first glance, to meet the Mahoney clan today is to encounter a winsome remnant of Mat-Su Valley history, with many still sporting fringed leather, western boots and quiet swagger. However, upon lingering in their company, it’s clear that the grit of this family’s bond is no bucolic theater. They are trappers, miners, steel workers, rodeo queens, storytellers, musicians, loggers, hunters, fishermen, bikers, painters, blacksmiths, woodworkers, builders and farmers. They all know how to cook. The Mahoneys’ Catholic faith is the bedrock which continues to shape their milestones, anchor their tragedies and propel them forward in unity.

Anchorage’s Dominican priests set for annual ‘Friar’s Fest’ at cathedral

Saturday, Aug. 8, rain or shine, will be a festive day at Holy Family Cathedral as parishioners and guests celebrate the 4th annual Friars’ Fest in the parish courtyard. The Friar’s Fest is part of a year full of events celebrating the centennial of Holy Family Cathedral, which started in 1915 with the purchase of two lots in the initial land sale in the then tent-city of Anchorage. The upcoming festival event coincides with Anchorage’s summer centennial festivities.

Religious brother was a savvy media point-man for Anchorage Archdiocese

Brother McBride initially came to Alaska in 1979 to work at St. Theresa’s Camp, the summer youth camp on the Kenai Peninsula. But then-Archbishop Francis Hurley tapped him to be the media point man for the event that to this day is still regarded as the largest gathering of people ever in Alaska: Pope John Paul II’s visit to Anchorage in February 1981. Brother McBride was communications director after that, a position he described as mostly “feeding and comforting the press.”

Longtime Alaskan friends cherish 60 years as religious sisters

In 1955, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald’s, the Vietnam War began, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus. And two friends — Loretta Leucke and Joan Oberle — professed their first vows as Sisters of the Most Precious Blood in St. Louis, Missouri. This month, Sisters Leucke, 80, and Oberle, 79, celebrate 60 years of religious life — the last 25 spent in the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska.

Bread that comes from heaven

I have come to believe that bread, in whatever, shape, taste or form you may encounter it, is pure evidence of God’s transcendent care for the people of this hungry planet.

Young Alaskans take service mission to Kodiak Island

More than 30 youth joined seven adults from three parishes in the Archdiocese of Anchorage for a trip to St. Mary Church on Kodiak Island for a week-long service mission trip in June. Adults and youth from Our Lady of the Angels Church in Kenai, St. Patrick Church in Anchorage and St. Andrew Church in Eagle River joined forces with Father Frank Reitter and youth from St. Mary in Kodiak.

Anchorage seminarian to take pivotal step toward priesthood

Seminarian Kevin Klump, who since 2011 has been in formation to become a priest for the Anchorage Archdiocese, will take a pivotal step in his journey this month. On Aug. 2 he will participate in the Mass of Candidacy with Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz at 8:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Anchorage.

The mask has slipped for Planned Parenthood

The videos don’t lie. They are released in both shorter, eight to nine minute clips, as well as in full length, unedited versions. Additionally, the videos are accompanied by full transcripts. Any claims that they are “heavily edited” fall flat in light of this extensive effort for full transparency. So we are left with hard facts and a decision to make. Do we as a nation, as Alaskans, as local towns and communities across our state want our public money to go toward funding a company which commits acts so grisly they are difficult even to speak of?