Beginning July 1, the revised safe environment policies of the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau will be in effect. Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., announced the revised policies after a multi-year effort to update procedures and policies in his commitment to continually improve and adjust to this vital ministry, meet the needs of the archdiocese, and respond to…
Editor’s note: This article was published in the February 2023 issue of the North Star Catholic. As Catholic Christians, we are a people of hope. We put our trust in the mercy, love, and healing power of God. With this new year, may we renew this sense of Hope that is given to us all,…
I often describe the work of the ministry of safe environment for the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau, but this work could not be accomplished without the dedication of the parishes’ and schools’ safe environment coordinators (SEC). Each parish has an SEC who ensures that your parish is following the safe environment policies for the archdiocese. Expressing…
Do you think the Catholic Church in the United States can rebuild confidence and trust in the people of God after learning of or experiencing the abuse crisis? If so, how? As of June, it is 20 years since the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops gathered in Dallas to discuss and act upon the…
With the synod’s diocesan phase coming to an end, the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau will host a concluding synod liturgy Mass at 5:30 p.m. on Pentecost Sunday, June 5, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Anchorage. During the liturgy, representatives of parishes and missions from across the archdiocese will join together for the…
During my time in the 1980s, “hi, beautiful lady,” and other unsolicited comments were how a man who shined shoes expressed interest to young women walking by 8th Avenue and 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan. This was and continues to be a very common experience in many American cities for teenagers and adults. There are…
“Why should I participate in a synod dialogue session?” This is a question the synod committee has heard the past two months as the synodal process moves forward in the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau. The synod asks everyone to discuss about how the Church can best live out its mission of witnessing the love of God to…
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…