If donor giving is any indication, then Alaskan Catholics value priests and want to see many more. The first of several events to support the Archdiocese of Anchorage’s growing seminarian population kicked off on June 9 with the “Seminarian Endowment Challenge” at St. Patrick Church in Anchorage. Sold out weeks in advance, some 200 Catholics packed the parish hall in support of their future priests.
In a world saturated with virtual reality and online distractions, a diverse group of men, joined by Catholic priests, will soon be headed to the mountains for adventure and inspired conversation in Alaska’s backcountry.
Sitting before some 150 teenagers and recounting the most awkward moments of senior prom might rattle the average guy, but not Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz.
The oldest parish in Anchorage — Holy Family Cathedral — has just been dedicated. In a June 5 Mass, Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz blessed the 100-year-old parish, its altar, walls and stained glass windows.
Traveling from communities across Alaska, youth from the Fairbanks Diocese, Juneau Diocese and Anchorage Archdiocese heard from nationally renowned speakers, Christian bands and religious order brothers and sisters. They also attended daily Mass, spent time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and took opportunities to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation with one of a dozen priests who volunteered to hear confessions.
All four sessions of St. Therese’s Camp in the Mat-Su Valley are now booked for the summer. The first of four weeklong camp sessions began June 22 and according to Camp Director Rudy Poglitsh the camp, which serves grades 3-8, is now fully booked.
Below are news briefs and upcoming events from across the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska.
This year’s Young Adult Eagle Eye Summer Institute is for those ages 20-35. It takes place July 14-July 24 in the mountains near Anchorage. The theme for this year’s gathering is “Justice: The First & Necessary Step to Mercy.”
Below are the scheduled liturgies and other events that Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz is scheduled to participate in during the month of July.
How can Christianity and the Catholic Church be true and yet containing so many scandals and injustices?