News & upcoming events
Here’s a rundown of news briefs and upcoming events from across the Anchorage Archdiocese.
ALASKA NEWS
’64 Good Friday quake grabbed Rome’s attention, led to archdiocese
In the wake of the devastating earthquake, Anchorage drew the attention of Rome. A papal representative, had visited Anchorage before the earthquake to bless the city’s first Catholic school. He came back immediately after the earthquake to see the devastation. Observing how large Anchorage was, he recommended it become its own diocese. The proposal then went to Pope Paul VI who created the archdiocese in 1966.
Childhood trauma has far-reaching consequences
As the Archdiocese of Anchorage recognizes Child Abuse Awareness Month in April, the Archdiocesan Office of Safe Environment invited a guest writer Marg Volz to show the connection between negative childhood experiences and consequences to emotional and physical health. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops encourages all dioceses to focus on this designation to learn how child abuse goes against the basic premise of Catholic teaching on the dignity human persons.
EDITORIAL: Newcomers’ enthusiasm can spur the faithful
CatholicAnchor.org Most Alaskans have entertained a visitor for a few days, venturing out to hike, fish, camp, canoe and visit places we’ve long neglected. The outsider’s enthusiasm spurs us to take a second look at this great land we call home. In some ways Alaska is a bit like Catholicism — vast, filled with the…
Upcoming events in April
CatholicAnchor.org Sundays, 11 a.m., Mass, AK Native Medical Center Sundays, 4 p.m., Dominican Rite Mass, Holy Family Mondays, 7 p.m., Seekers Group, JPII House, St. Patrick Thursdays, 11 a.m., Native Kateri Circle, St. Anthony April 3, Good Friday Faith Walk (times/locations on page 18) April 4, Easter Vigil Mass April 5, Easter Sunday April 19,…
Archbishop’s April Calendar
CatholicAnchor.org April 1, 1:30 p.m., Reconciliation service, Cafeteria in Student Union Building at UAA April 2, 9 a.m., Good Friday Faith Walk Award to student, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School April 2, 7 p.m., Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Holy Family Cathedral April 3, 10:30 a.m., Good Friday Faith Walk, beginning at Pastoral Center April…
Seminarian journey concluding: ‘How blessed these years have been’
In a few months I will return to Alaska. It is the bookend of another trip I took five and a half years ago when entering St. Paul Seminary in Minnesota to begin my formation as a Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Anchorage. As this journey comes to an end it is natural to look back on this blessed time.
Alaska priest historian captured stories for future generations
In the fall of 1965, Father Renner began a 15-year career teaching at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. He taught mostly German, but also he started the university’s Latin program. Over the years, he traveled extensively across Alaska gathering material for a series of books, including “Alaskana Catholica,” an encyclopedic look at the history of Catholicism in the state.
Anchorage monastery’s mission continues after 2 founding nuns die
“A very diverse yet tightly-knit spiritual family has grown up around the monastery,” explained Therese Syren, a parishioner of Holy Family Cathedral, whose family was instrumental in building the monastery 30 years ago. “Any given day one can find a half-dozen nationalities represented in the congregation at Holy Mass there,” she said. The deaths of the monastery’s two eldest nuns are great losses, but their congregation’s mission is unchanged, explained Father Lilly. “Their work will definitely continue,” he said.
Anchorage teen eager to finally join Catholic Church
Why does a 15-year old Lutheran girl decide to become Catholic? When Anchorage teen Jamie Nagel began to think about joining the Catholic Church, she and her mom talked. Her mom wanted her to at least be confirmed in their family’s faith, and asked her to go through Lutheran confirmation classes, which were held in junior high. “I went to all the classes. Then I sat down and talked to her,” Nagel said.