The North Star Catholic / ALASKA NEWS Archives - Page 128 of 137

Encountering Christ — not 30 ft away

I like my job. But truth be known, I have just spent the last hour and some odd minutes in the presence of Christ. Not figuratively. For real. Right there, not 30 feet away. I have just come from adoration, where I have knelt and prayed and felt the welling of emotions: glad for the gift of Eucharist, tearful and intimidated by Christ’s Passion, yet elated by what that means. Giddy that my faith grows with each visit, but mostly I feel an overwhelming internal warmth in the privilege of spending time in silence with him.

Faith-filled Les Mis coming to Anchorage

Les Misérables, one of the most popular stage productions of all time, and a story with strong Catholic and Christian underpinnings, is coming to Anchorage’s Atwood Concert Hall for 13 live performances Oct. 17-26. Just prior to the arrival of the Broadway play, a free screening of the 2012 academy award winning movie version of the story will show at the Beartooth Theater pub in Anchorage.

40-day vigil to end abortion begins in Alaska

The ongoing 40 Days for Life campaign in Alaska and around the world runs through Nov. 2. The international 40-day prayer vigils take place each fall and spring with pro-life advocates gathered outside abortion facilities to peacefully stand vigil, pray for unborn babies and help mothers choose life for their children.

40 Days For Life founder to speak in Alaska

One of the leading voices in the modern version of the pro-life movement will be in Alaska next month to speak at two banquets held by Alaska Right to Life. Co-founder of the international 40 Days for Life prayer vigils, Shawn Carney, will deliver the keynote address at two gatherings, one on Thursday, Oct. 2, and another on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Catholic & Protestant groups come together on common cultural causes

For 500 years, since the rupture of Christian history by the Protestant Reformation, Catholics and Protestants have been on opposite sides of a theological battlefield. Now they are joining arms on some of society’s greatest moral debates — abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage, to name a few. “While they were carrying on these [theological] battles, just a few decades ago, they found out that…the whole social and moral scene had collapsed,” Catholic attorney Bob Flint of Anchorage told the Catholic Anchor in an interview. “The world changed,” he said.

‘Kids energize us’

Joyce and Karl Lund have spent their lives living out a passion for education and a commitment to doing things together. So it’s probably no surprise that after “retiring” from over 80 years, collectively, in the world of public education, they opted out of an opportunity for adventure in Panama, and accepted instead the invitation to help launch Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School in Wasilla.

AK priest humbled, inspired on 513-mile pilgrimage trek

Father Tom Lilly recently completed an ancient pilgrimage path, hiking the narrow footpaths, farm trails, cobbled streets and byways of Spain. The pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Anchorage completed his journey to the historic cathedral that houses the relics of Saint James the Apostle. Known as Santiago de Compostela, the church has been a prominent place of Catholic pilgrimage since the Middle Ages.

Catholic teens join forces on mission to Kodiak Island

By ELI WOODVINE CatholicAnchor.org Teens and youth leaders from four Alaska parishes teamed up earlier this summer to make a difference on Alaska’s Kodiak, Island. In July, 14 teens and seven chaperones from Our Lady of the Angels in Kenai, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Soldotna, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Anchorage boarded…

Archbishop calls Alaskans to be ‘peacemakers’ in public square

As election season politics plays out in Alaska Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz is urging Alaskans of all faiths to engage in civil dialogue and discourse when debating in the public square. “Over the years, what falls in the bounds of being acceptable seems to be disintegrating,” Archbishop Schwietz said in a statement that was read at an Aug. 18 interfaith prayer service just outside St. Anthony Church in Anchorage.

Fr. Shields to give Sept. 13 mothers’ retreat in Palmer

On Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Father Michael Shields will lead a “Mothers’ Day of Healing” retreat at St. Michael Church in Palmer. The gathering, which is geared for women in all stages and phases of motherhood, will include eucharistic adoration, spiritual reflection and fellowship. Father Shields also will be available to hear confessions. Refreshments and childcare provided.