The North Star Catholic / ALASKA NEWS Archives - Page 86 of 136

Key priest changes announced for parishes across Anchorage Archdiocese

In two separate April letters to clergy and parish leaders across the archdiocese, Archbishop Schwietz announced that in Anchorage St. Benedict Church, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral, Holy Cross Church will all be under new leadership effective July 1. Additionally, Sacred Heart Church in Wasilla, Our Lady of the Lake in Big Lake, St. Christopher in Willow and the Catholic missions in Bristol Bay will all be under new pastoral leadership.

Alaskans to join April 23 nationwide protest against Planned Parenthood

On April 23, nationally coordinated protests will be held at more than 200 Planned Parenthood centers throughout the United States, including the center at 4001 Lake Otis Parkway (Suite 101) in Anchorage.

These protests are being organized by the #ProtestPP coalition, formed in response to the undercover videos released last year showing Planned Parenthood officials discussing the harvesting and selling of body parts from aborted children.

Bill to strengthen faith-based health care options in Alaska running out of time

CatholicAnchor.org With only three days left before the current session of the Alaska Legislature ends, a measure to exempt religious-based health care sharing ministries (HCSMs) from being regulated as health insurance in Alaska has yet to pass out of the House. Senate Bill 18 is currently in the House Rules Committee, but has not been…

Time winding down in effort to protect Alaskans’ parental rights in sex ed classes

A measure aimed at protecting Alaskans parental rights regarding the teaching of sex education and other controversial topics is running out of time as the current session of the Alaska Legislature winds down.

April 12 public testimony on abortion, parental rights in Alaska

With only days left before the end of the current Alaska Legislature session, Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Alaska are applying pressure on Alaska lawmakers to reject a bill aimed at giving Alaskan parents greater freedom in directing the education of their children, including the right to opt out of standardized tests and controversial sex instruction classes. The bill would also prohibit organizations that perform abortions from teaching in public schools.

EDITORIAL: Churches must welcome out-of-wedlock pregnancies

Churches have a particular challenge regarding the issue of out-of-wedlock pregnancies. On the one hand, the teachings of Christ and his church affirm that sex is to be reserved for the bond of faithful, lifelong marriage. Many churches have effective youth and young adult outreaches to help parishioners strengthen moral resolve in this area. And yet, a percentage of young people fall short. In some cases, this leads to a pregnancy. This is impossible to hide from public view — especially if mothers choose life for their unborn child and carry her to term.

Native drummer finds harmony in ancient Catholic faith

Growing up, Daney remembers that Native heritage was an unspoken common denominator among his closest peers. They also shared a Christian faith, and the group’s desire to gather for Bible study somehow created a curiosity about drumming, which they would go on to explore.

Reported abortions at record low in Alaska

Alaska saw a record low number of reported abortions last year. According to the state’s Bureau of Vital Statistics 1,334 abortions were performed in 2015, the fewest since 2003 when Alaska began recording data. Last year’s figures represent a 12 percent drop over 2014 and a nearly 32 percent reduction from a decade ago when 1,956 abortions were reported.

Anchorage’s largest Catholic high school announces new principal hire

A former Catholic school student in Anchorage has been tapped to lead Anchorages largest Catholic high school. In April Lumen Christi High School announced that Brian Ross, of Anchorage, would take over the reigns from outgoing principal John Harman.

50th anniversary numbers for Anchorage Archdiocese

The following statistics on the Archdiocese of Anchorage are drawn from the 2015 Official Catholic Directory which annually compiles and publishes figures on all dioceses across the United States.