Embracing a life of celibacy is not the norm in an American culture saturated by sexual images aimed at selling goods and stirring desires. Nevertheless, the Catholic priesthood continues to draw men to a life of total service to Christ and his church. The Catholic Anchor recently asked several Alaskan priests to share how they came to embrace a calling that entails a vow to lifelong celibacy.
A bill to restrict Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers from teaching or distributing materials in Alaska’s public schools is scheduled for a teleconferenced hearing in the Alaska Senate’s Education Committee on Thursday, March 3, at 3:30 p.m.
People seem increasingly frightened to admit that the Catholic Church is the “one, holy, catholic (universal) and apostolic church” founded by Jesus Christ more than 2,000 years ago. This is especially the case when Catholics are in the presence of Protestants — our separated brethren in Christ.
Alaska, as we know, is a vast territory abundantly blessed by extravagant displays of nature’s beauty. Those living in Alaska never tire from experiencing the beauty of creation, which can be at the same time inspiring as well as dangerous. So it only makes sense that the origin of the Archdiocese of Anchorage is connected with the work of nature. It was a great earthquake of 1964 — Good Friday — that set in motion the process of establishing the archdiocese.
Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz commented on the size of the growing number of Catholic students at the annual liturgy. “Each year, the student body is growing a larger number of students,” he said. “It’s really a blessing for us — for the whole archdiocese.”
Alaska has been targeted as a “high priority” state by a leading gay rights activist group strategically looking to roll back religious liberty provisions in states that safeguard the rights of business owners, private and religious schools and other entities to operate their organizations in accord with their religious views and deeply held beliefs.
The Alaska Senate passed legislation on Feb. 26 that prevents Alaska’s public schools from contracting with abortion services providers for course materials or to provide instruction relating to human sexuality. Introduced by Sen. Mike Dunleavy of Wasilla, Senate Bill 89 also ensures a parent has the right to direct the education of his or her public school child, including the right to object to and withdraw the child from state-mandated tests, and from activities or classes on sexual matters which parents find objectionable. And the bill prohibits public schools from administering student questionnaires that inquire into personal or private family affairs of the student.
The following information includes news items and notices regarding upcoming events in the Archdiocese of Anchorage.
In an effort to “solicit the Christian community to pray for those individuals in authority, in particular the Governor of Alaska,” the annual Alaska Governor’s Prayer Breakfast will take place March 19 in Anchorage with Gov. Bill Walker.
Renown evangelist and speaker Deacon Harold-Burke-Sivers, will lead a four-day mission at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church March 7-10. The mission is open to those outside the parish. Deacon Burke-Sivers has appeared on many national and international radio programs, including Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Connection and EWTN among others. He holds a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from the University of Dallas, is a Benedictine Oblate of Mt. Angel Abbey and is a consultation team member for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Directory for Catechesis.