Gemma Gaudio’s faith and lifelong immersion in her Alaska Native culture and Yup’ik heritage is an inspiration to Native people throughout the state, and a model of stewardship to the Catholic community.
From early October until Christmas, there are opportunities in several parishes to find unique items, sample various cuisines and support the necessary work that is partly funded by these events.
Speaking on forgiveness, Father Lilly’s homily noted that parents and teachers must be adept at forgiving many times over. He warned against a tendency to see the imperfection of another and to hold grudges, even if an apology is extended.
Last month, Anchorage’s St. Patrick Church unveiled a large bronze sculpture of David — the fourth statue installed in the parish’s outdoor cloister by the renowned sculptor and painter Roberto Santo. Santo creates original work as well as fresh interpretations of classical works by much older masters.
The Archdiocese of Anchorage added another priest with the ordination of Father Robert Whitney on June 23 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Anchorage. The newly ordained priest was born and raised in Anchorage, attended both Catholic and public schools here, and his first assignment will be to minister alongside of Father Tom Lilly in service to the people of Saint Benedict Church in Anchorage, the same parish where he was baptized.
His homily noted that the women who went to Jesus’ tomb did not find what they were expecting, and they were frightened and shocked to find it empty.
“When we truly search for the risen Jesus in our lives, we too will be shocked at what we find,” he said. “Because God will set us on the path and a journey and will ask of us things we would never have dreamed or imagined we would even be capable of accomplishing.”
As Kevin and Rebecca Gitzen look forward to becoming Catholics at the Easter vigil, a unique part of their journey was the recent baptisms of their infant sons.
The oldest of eight children, a birth injury left Anne Leuenberger with a learning disability that prevented her from mastering reading and writing. Creating art that reflects her Alaska Native heritage served as a distraction from her struggles and a form of prayer.
In the immediate aftermath of a contentious national election, hundreds of Alaskans packed into Anchorage’s Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral to welcome the new spiritual leader of Catholics across Southcentral Alaska.
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.