During the past two years, Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., and the priests in the archdiocese gathered for synodal listening, discussion, and discernment sessions about the minimum age for parishioners to be eligible to receive the sacrament of Confirmation in the archdiocese. After hearing from some of those entrusted with catechesis and consulting with others, together…
The Feast of Pentecost, May 24 this year, marked the end of the Easter season as the Church commemorated the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, sealing them with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord were strengthened in the apostles as they…
This year, Advent begins Sunday, Dec. 1, and ends Tuesday, Dec. 24. Cues are everywhere: the all-Christmas radio channel, the all-Christmas movie channel, and Advent calendars with everything from coffee to cosmetics. But how can people turn down the commercial chatter and bring the joyful season of Advent into their lives? Just as in Lent,…
For Peruvians, October means only one thing: “El Señor de los Milagros,” or “The Lord of the Miracles” in English, a Catholic celebration that extends throughout all of Peru, finding its origin in Lima. It is one of the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau’s most anticipated Hispanic celebrations in Anchorage, Alaska. The Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau celebrates El…
Deacon Gary Horton, one of the earliest permanent deacons to serve the former Diocese of Juneau, died on May 16, 2022. He was 85 years old. A funeral Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Juneau on June 8. Deacon Horton was interred at the columbarium at…
Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., announced that Vicar General Father Patrick “Fr. Pat” Travers will be the new chief operating officer and chancellor for the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau. He replaces John Harmon, who retires later this month after serving the church in Alaska for 10 years. “As the archdiocese moves forward, we are fortunate to have…
The Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau welcomes Jay Luzardo as its new communications specialist and editor of the North Star Catholic. “Alaska is huge, and each region is special in its own way,” he said. “I hope I can manage to consistently share stories for each region so we can fully understand how special this Catholic community…
By Molly Cornish In late August, the world watched a crisis unfold at Kabul Airport in Afghanistan. News crews and cell phones captured footage of families fleeing for their lives, many with children and infants in tow, many forced to leave their families behind. Afghan evacuees fled their homes, most at a moment’s notice, for…
By Gregory and Kathleen Fast An Alaskan husband and wife were one of 50 Retrouvaille couples based in North America who were invited to meet Pope Francis at the Paul VI Audience Hall in Rome on Nov. 6. In his address to the Retrouvaille assembly, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude and offered words of encouragement…
What is the purpose of the synod? “We recall that the purpose of the synod, and therefore of this consultation, is not to produce documents, but “to plant dreams, draw forth prophecies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another…