When viewed as a whole, the church in Alaska seems at times wonderfully human, at other times, mysteriously divine — the heroic efforts and serendipitous fortunes of Providence Hospital after the Good Friday Earthquake seem good examples of both.
On August 15, Catholics will celebrate the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The significant feast day recalls the spiritual and physical departure of the mother of Jesus Christ from the earth, when both her soul and her body were taken into the presence of God.
Increasingly, Mat-Su Valley parents are choosing Catholic schooling for their children, which means Our Lady of the Valley School in Wasilla is growing. Beginning with 22 students in 2012, enrollment has steadily risen and now stands at 73 and counting for the upcoming academic year.
Below are the liturgies and events that Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz is scheduled to attend during the month of August.
CatholicAnchor.org Below are news briefs and upcoming events from across the Anchorage Archdiocese. Annual Friar’s Fest set for downtown cathedral Aug. 13 Saturday, Aug. 13, will be a festive day at Holy Family Cathedral as parishioners and guests celebrate the 5th Annual Friars’ Fest in the parish courtyard. This year’s festival will mark the 800th…
Crossing mountain passes, hopping giant boulders and trekking across two ancient glaciers, 16 Catholic men marched into Alaska’s backcountry seeking God, friendship and adventure.
The physicality of Filipino spirituality flows into a practical empathy for others. Filipinos are the most kind, hospitable and generous people I’ve ever met.
Under the leadership of adult parishioners and Deacon Kevin Woodvine a group of eight youth from Our Lady of the Angels Church in Kenai traveled to St. Gregory Nazianzen Church in Sitka. There the group met up with local parishioners and Father Andy Sensenig, a priest of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
Earlier this spring, students from Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School in Wasilla got their hands dirty as they put into actions Pope Francis’ call for a “Year of Mercy.” The idea took shape with a phone call from Diane Krauszer, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Palmer. She asked if students were willing to till soil, weed a community garden and prepare it for planting vegetables to give to Mat-Su Valley residents in need.
The annual Cardboard City event in Palmer aims to raise awareness of homelessness and raise money for Family Promise to support the homeless in the Mat-Su. A number of churches including St. Michael’s in Palmer and Sacred Heart in Wasilla support Family Promise and take shifts in opening their parishes to house the homeless.