Pope Francis has named Bishop Paul Dennis Etienne, 57, to be the next archbishop of Anchorage, Alaska, and accepted the resignation of Archbishop Roger Schwietz, 76, who submitted his resignation last year upon turning 75 as required by the church’s canon law. Archbishop-elect Etienne has served as the bishop of Cheyenne Wyoming for the past eight years.
Last week at a community celebration at the Brother Francis Shelter, Catholic Social Services publicly honored Brother Bob Eaton and Brother Dave Sifferman for helping found the landmark Anchorage outreach.
Coming to Birchwood Camp in Chugiak Oct. 8-9 is the “Fall Family Faith Festival.” Part retreat, part recreational outing, the event aims to bring Catholics together to celebrate faith and family.
As summer wanes and temperatures fall, many parishes across the Anchorage Archdiocese are preparing to continue the centuries-old tradition of selling handmade goods, unique prepared foods and holiday items through annual parish bazaars and craft fairs.
“See him, over there?’ whispered one young student to another, pointing to Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz, standing out in his mitre and crozier (bishops hat and staff). “That’s the pope.” Not quite, but the students of the south Anchorage school were palpably energized about their annual visit from the archbishop.
By a vote of 8-1, the Juneau Borough Assembly effectively criminalized efforts by churches, non-profits or local businesses to operate their outreaches and organizations in accord with deeply held beliefs about human sexuality.
An accomplished female track star and Alaska record holder has now publicly challenged the state’s governing athletic board over its decision to allow male athletes to compete against females in high school state championship events.
If we are not careful, we can fall into the habit of thinking negatively of ourselves because of the gifts others have been given.
Creed Mamikunian was already a medical doctor when he volunteered in 1991 to work in Kolkata, India, for three months with the global icon Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity. What he experienced during those months compelled him to honor Mother Teresa by attending her Sept. 4 canonization at the Vatican.
Catholic Social Services will be honoring Brother Bob Eaton and Brother Dave Sifferman for helping found Brother Francis Shelter in Anchorage. The community is invited to join the event on Sunday, Oct. 2, from 6-7 p.m. at Brother Francis Shelter (1021 E. 3rd Ave.).