The North Star Catholic / Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., Author at The North Star Catholic

Confirmation and dedication in Petersburg Archbishop’s homily (abridged) | Confirmación y dedicación en Petersburg Homilía del arzobispo (resumida)

(Photo credit for featured image, Tanya Somerville) Today we celebrate the dedication of our new church and the sacrament of Confirmation. Our Confirmandi have dedicated significant time and effort to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. Similarly, all of you have prepared diligently to dedicate this new church, which has risen from the ashes of…

Stop it! | ¡Basta ya!

When I was a young boy, I went through a phase of yelling and screaming. My Mother handled it in two ways: ignoring me, hoping that the behavior would pass, or, finally, having had enough when it didn’t pass, she would firmly shout, Andrew, stop it! Just stop it! No explanation was necessary; I recognized…

First anniversary of the election of Pope Leo XIV / Primer aniversario de la elección del Papa León XIV

Friday, May 8th, marked the first anniversary of the election of Pope Leo XIV. It is important to pray for our Holy Father and his intentions, especially for his intention for peace and reconciliation in our world: a peace grounded in love and justice. The Gospel Reading on May 8th was from the 15th chapter…

A Brief Reflection on Pope Francis

Originally printed in the May 2025 issue Some scholars believe that the saying “the eyes are the windows to the soul” originated in ancient Greece or Rome. Regardless of its origins, this saying has endured over time because it contains elements of truth. I had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis on two occasions. I…

Jubilee Year 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope

Originally printed in the January 2025 issue The Jubilee Year 2025 is a time of special significance in our faith. It is a Holy Year marked by the hope that does not fade: our hope in God. This year, in particular, is a Jubilee of Hope, a hope for deepening our relationship with God and…

Mass opens path to synodal church

Below is Archbishop Andrew Bellisario’s homily from the synod mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Oct. 17th: Today is a very special day. Together, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we begin the synod preparation process in our Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau. Pope Francis inaugurated a two-year preparation process for the 2023…

The People of God are called to participate in upcoming synod process

Pope Francis announced that the next Ordinary Synod of Bishops would take place in October 2023. In preparation for this synod, the Vatican has approved a new three-stage process for the next gathering of the Synod of Bishops. It aims to involve the whole Church at diocesan, national and continental levels. The theme chosen by…

Sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit at confirmation

Since the inauguration of the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau on September 17, 2020, I have traveled to many of our parishes to celebrate the sacrament of confirmation. Usually, most confirmation celebrations take place within the Easter season. However, with travel restrictions due to COVID last spring, it was necessary to celebrate confirmations in October and November…

An invitation to the monthly hour of prayer

Once a month, I lead an Hour of Prayer service for the archdiocese. The monthly Hour of Prayer includes a short reflection on the prayer intention for the hour, a scripture rosary led by parishioners, quiet time in adoration before the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, and concludes with Benediction. During the…

United in Mission: God’s Work, Our Hands

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us always! During the installation Mass in September, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Pope Francis’ representative to the United States, read the Holy Father’s decree of May 19, 2020, uniting Anchorage and Juneau into the new Metropolitan Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau….