What an exciting and gracious feeling I had when my plane made its approach into the Juneau airport last month. Through partial clouds and sun appeared towering mountains, solitary islands, and inviting coves. It was familiar and, at the same time, unique. This familiar and unique character also deeply includes a shared faith amongst our…
In the past thirty years, many of us have been exposed to Public Service Announcements (PSAs). Some of a certain age can remember PSAs from the 1960s and 1970s, especially related to campaigns against smoking, preventing forest fires and bringing awareness to care of the earth through littering prevention efforts. The message was to improve…
Every month, there is indeed a designation to bring awareness to many health concerns or causes. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. According to youth.gov, National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention is an issue that impacts everyone – not just teens – but their parents, teachers, friends and communities as well.” The hope…
“May we be in this world a ray of that light which shone forth from Bethlehem, bringing joy and peace to the hearts of all men and women.” Pope Francis This message from Pope Francis during Advent of 2013 to the crowds in St. Peter’s Square is just as relevant now as it was then,…
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “The saints have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult moments in the Church’s history” (CCC 828). Encouraging and inspiring are the lives of the saints. It is also heartening to know that most endured great hardships and adversity in living out their…
Even in this time of uncertainty that individuals, communities and the world face, we have been given hope in a new Archdiocese. I am thankful for what the people of the Archdiocese of Anchorage and the Diocese of Juneau have been able to celebrate. We have become a new community of faith. The worldwide Catholic…
CatholicAnchor.org Have you ever found yourself in the middle of an extraordinary event, whether for work or in a personal situation, where things were so hectic or overwhelming that you found yourself forgetting to drink or eat? In times like this, it is easy to pay less attention to basic needs. This may be why…
CatholicAnchor.org Since the end of May, there has been consistent protesting about the evil of racism in our country. The protests have led to greater and broader discussions about how racism is manifested by creating and allowing unjust systems that threaten the health and safety of our brothers and sisters of color. During a protest,…
CatholicAnchor.org I recall returning to my hometown of New Orleans in 2006, five months after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in August of 2005, and there was a consistent question that locals asked of each other when they met: “How did you fare during the storm?” I found a shared experience and concern for…
CatholicAnchor.org “Where in the bible should I start reading?” This was a question for a parish priest from someone preparing to become Catholic. I recall this priest recommending that they begin with the Acts of the Apostles. It was because the Acts of the Apostles told the story of the beginning of the Christian communities…