Five Alaskan men advance towards becoming permanent deacons
On Sept. 17, five men participated in the Rite of Lector, one of four liturgical rites on the way to being ordained as permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Anchorage.
ALASKA NEWS
Catholic wedding changes take effect in Alaska
Some words and rituals in Catholic weddings in Alaska will change, beginning this fall — and Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz believes those changes are part of a needed response to secular efforts to redefine marriage.
Alaska Native artist crafts gift for pope
Alaska Native artist Theresa Mike didn’t quite believe what she was being asked to do. This summer, Vincentian Sister Mary Peter Diaz requested that Mike marshal her artistic talents to craft an ornate book covering for Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz to deliver to Pope Francis along with the newly published volume, “Alaska’s Archdiocese: Faith in the Far North.”
Alaska’s drop in infant baptisms follows national decline
News of a widespread decline in infant baptisms is met with a certain level of uneasiness among some Catholics.
Special Olympics a source of pride, friendship for Alaskan athlete
Chris Vance is a towering Athabascan Native, devout Catholic and an honored Alaskan athlete. Joining Special Olympics at age eight, he has competed athletically for most of the organization’s modern history. Now 42, Vance was honored this summer by the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame for his role in helping to bring the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games to Anchorage.
VIDEO: Incoming archbishop speaks of vocation, love of outdoors and anxieties of transition
In this video Anchorage Archbishop-elect Paul Etienne reflects on having two brothers who are priests, a sister who is a nun. He also talks about his love for the outdoors and addresses anxieties that some Alaskans may have in getting a new archbishop.
Incoming archbishop’s first homily calls faithful to ‘sit before God,’ then share his love
The morning faithful at the 9 a.m., mid-week Mass at St. Andrew Church in Eagle River were in for a surprise on October 4. Seven hours earlier the Vatican publicly announced that Pope Francis had appointed Bishop Paul Etienne, of the Wyoming Diocese, to be the next archbishop of Anchorage. Unbeknownst to most parishioners, the incoming archbishop was in the back vestibule of St. Andrew’s preparing to celebrate his first Mass in the archdiocese.
VIDEO: Archbishop Etienne addresses Alaska’s media
Here is a link to the video of the Oct. 4 press conference in Anchorage where newly appointed Archbishop Paul Etienne is introduced to Alaskan reporters by retiring Archbishop Roger Schwietz.
PHOTOS: Incoming Anchorage archbishop spends first full day in archdiocese
Incoming Anchorage Archbishop Paul Eitenne spent his first full day in the archdiocese on Oct. 4. He began by celebrating Mass at St. Andrew Church and Eagle River before heading into Anchorage for a press conference announcing his new assignment. To view photos of these events, click on the links below.
Incoming Anchorage archbishop aims to ‘travel to the peripheries’ to bring God’s love
So, what can you expect of me? I will give you my all. I love the Lord. I love being a priest. I love the church and the vision of the church’s full potential which is being charted by Pope Francis. Please be patient and pray with and for me as I come to know you, and know that from this moment I will be your humble servant who loves you with the heart of the Gentle Shepherd.