Until recent years, there was a nearly decade-long drought in priestly ordinations. However, in the last three years, two men have been ordained, and another is scheduled for this summer. There are currently six men in seminary, which is the highest number the archdiocese has ever seen.
Saint Therese of Lisieux wasn’t yet recognized by the Catholic Church as a saint when Alaska’s very first bishop “made a rather hasty move,” in selecting her as the patron saint of Alaska.
One of the final paintings of renowned Alaskan artist Byron Birdsall was a commissioned piece by the Anchorage Archdiocese in which he created an original watercolor of Saint Therese of Lisieux, the patron saint of Alaska.
Prior to retiring, Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz offered a Mass of thanksgiving for the youth of the archdiocese. More than 100 young people gathered at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Anchorage on Nov. 6.
Following the Nov. 9 installation of Anchorage Archbishop Paul Etienne as the successor to retired Archbishop Emeritus Roger Schwietz, the Catholic Anchor spoke to several Alaskans at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral. Here’s the video of their responses.
That commitment resulted in the establishment of a unified Catholic school system, the founding of a new Catholic elementary school in the Mat-Su Valley, and a measure of financial stability for Kodiak’s struggling elementary school.
When Archbishop Schwietz began his ministry here in 2001, the Alaskan priesthood was quite literally dying out. We had an aging group of hardworking clergy, but there were scarcely any young men following in their footsteps. The priesthood was simply not on the radar and in many parishes and families it was not encouraged.
Before stepping aside on Nov. 9 for incoming Anchorage Archbishop Paul Etienne, retiring Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz took care of some unfinished business by installing three pastors at major parishes in the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage.
Anchorage Archbishop Paul Etienne is scheduled to participate in the following events and liturgies during the month of December.
The following events and liturgies are scheduled during Advent and Christmas in the Archdiocese of Anchorage.