Alaskan paints life-sized saints for co-cathedral
“I was determined to be true and authentic to the ethnicities of these saints,” Swalling said. “I wanted images people would recognize.”
Articles by Annette Alleva
Diverse cultures, unified faith mark Anchorage Archdiocese’s 50th anniversary
Golden, late morning light filtered the stained glass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral. In its glow Native American musician Buz Daney drummed and chanted a solemn but joyful opening to the Archdiocese of Anchorage’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Mass on May 14.
Alaska Catholic Youth Conference ‘not just a retreat’
Youth planning to attend the Alaska Catholic Youth Conference (ACYC) are in for some new surprises and activities. Organizers for the annual conference, held at Lumen Christi High School and Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral from June 6 -9, are aiming for an engaging, uplifting and challenging event — open to middle and high school students.
Holy Oils help to sacramentally unite Alaska’s widely dispersed Catholics
The Chrism Mass, a profoundly sacred liturgy, with roots in antiquity and hopes in eternity, was celebrated at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Anchorage on March 16. Sacramental oils, used throughout the 138,000 square mile Anchorage Archdiocese were blessed by Archbishop Schwietz at the annual Mass. Two-dozen priests gathered with the archbishop and Bishop Renato Mayugba, visiting from Laoag Diocese in the Philippines. The clergy renewed their commitment to the priesthood and loyalty to the archbishop — an integral part of the ancient liturgy.
Archdiocese marks 50 years with celebration Mass
A Mass of Thanksgiving celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Anchorage drew an intimate gathering of about 70 individuals at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral on Feb. 9 — 50 years to the day a new diocese was carved out of what was essentially the Alaskan wilderness.
Applause, laughter, tears mark funeral of pioneering Alaskan Archbishop
Jay Hurley said Archbishop Hurley personified the dream of Alaskan poet Robert Service who wrote, “Send us men to match our mountains.” He was, as Jay Hurley said, “supremely balanced, open and receptive to individuals. He made the church real and alive…he brought vision to his ministry…constantly doing what the Holy Spirit prompted him to do.”
Archbishop marks 75 years on earth, 25 as a bishop
As thousands of Alaskans began celebrating the birth of the United States, nearly a thousand others packed Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral on July 3 to celebrate Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz’s 75th birthday and the 25th anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination.
Joyful liturgy gives rise to Alaska’s newest priest
CatholicAnchor.org As people quietly found their places in the pews of Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Anchorage on the sunny evening of June 19 a crescendo of voices rose just outside the sanctuary. Priests, deacons, Knights of Columbus, seminarians and alter servers took their places for the grand procession, which opened the Eucharistic Liturgy…
New Alaskan deacons urged to be instruments of mercy
It’s no secret that the vast, sparsely populated expanse of Alaska suffers from a grave shortage of Catholic clergy. On May 1 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Anchorage that burden was lessened just a bit when six Alaskan men, dressed in white albs, were called from their seats among family and friends to be ordained permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Anchorage.
Anchorage’s Holy Family Cathedral celebrating 100 years
Established on Sept. 15, 1915 the parish became the first church built in Anchorage. The humble, wooden structure was replaced in 1947. Christmas that year was celebrated in the basement of the present church. It would take more than ten years for the cathedral, built in an art deco style, to be completed. In its earliest days, Jesuit priests provided for the pastoral needs of railroad workers and their families who hailed primarily from Eastern Europe. The Jesuits were responsible for much of the vast territory of Alaska. With statehood in 1959 and attention focused on Anchorage following the 1964 Good Friday earthquake, Rome announced, in 1966, the creation of the Archdiocese of Anchorage.