The North Star Catholic / Staff Reports, Author at The North Star Catholic

Alaskans of all stripes share stories of their ever-present Archbishop Hurley

Late Anchorage Archbishop Emeritus Francis Hurley was renown for his ability to connect with Alaskans of all stripes. From the elevated wielders of political power to the down and out on the streets of Anchorage, Archbishop Hurley walked easily, and generously, into the lives of his fellow Alaskans. The following tributes are just a few of the many memories Alaskans have shared following Archbishop Hurley’s death on Jan. 10.

‘The Flying Archbishop’ was a man of vision

A few weeks after his installation, the archbishop called and we met at Merrill Field for the first flight. I was pleasantly surprised to find him such a normal, down-to-earth person who had a natural ability for flying. We hit it off immediately. Me being born in Ireland, like the archbishop’s mother, helped.

Archbishop Hurley: A friend who made us better

Archbishop Hurley had a gift for involving others in the things that he was passionate about, to engender in others that same zeal and to see, that in common purpose, each of us have possibilities we never knew we possessed. It is rare to have a friend or a leader who can engender in others such confidence and purpose.

Renowned Catholic bioethicist headed to Alaska for presentations

Father Pacholczyk regularly travels the country helping untangle the difficult choices that arise in the rapidly changing world of medical science. He speaks at Catholic hospitals, universities, diocesan events and myriad other functions. As he travels, he tackles tough questions on how one can make medical decisions that are in harmony with Catholic teaching about the dignity of human life.

Archdiocese hits half-century mark next month

Established on Feb. 9, 1966, by Pope Paul VI, the Anchorage Archdiocese turns 50 years old next month. To mark the historic day a special Mass will be celebrated on Feb. 9 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Anchorage. The liturgy begins at 6:30 p.m. with a reception following. The event is part of the ongoing “Season of Blessings” in which the archdiocese is celebrating key milestones of the Catholic faith in Southcentral Alaska.

Archbishop Hurley’s 1999 column highlights mission of the Catholic Anchor

Editor’s note: On April 30, 1999, late Anchorage Archbishop Francis Hurley launched the Catholic Anchor with the expressed mission: “To provide a forum for Catholics to understand and to assume their roles in the church in the modern world.” Archbishop Hurley died on Jan. 10. The column below was written by him for the inaugural issue, nearly 17 years ago.

Anchorage set to mourn Abp. Hurley with public prayers, rites & liturgies

Wednesday, Jan. 20 begins four days of public prayers, liturgies and mourning over the loss of Anchorage Archbishop Francis Hurley who died Jan. 10 in Anchorage. This will be the first time Catholics in the Anchorage Archdiocese lay to rest one of their former archbishops. Archbishop Hurley was the second bishop to serve the archdiocese. His predecessor, Archbishop Joseph Ryan, was reassigned in 1975 to serve as the archbishop for the U.S. Military.

Anchorage pro-life service on Jan. 23 to mark 43rd year since Roe

On Saturday, Jan. 23, at 2 p.m., the 16th annual Anchorage interdenominational prayer service marking the anniversary of Roe v. Wade takes place at the Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery on 9th Street and Cordova. The event marks the 43rd anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the U.S.

Archbishop Hurley’s funeral Mass to be broadcast live on GCI

The Jan. 22 funeral Mass for Anchorage Archbishop Emeritus Francis Hurley will be live streamed on GCI statewide. Those unable to attend the Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral can watch the liturgy on either GCI channel 1 or in HD on GCI channel 999. The funeral will begin at 2 p.m.

LOCATION CHANGE: Holy Rosary students to perform Oscar Wilde play

Drama students from Holy Rosary Academy in Anchorage will perform Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” on Friday, Jan. 22, at 1 p.m. at Holy Rosary’s St. Dominic’s Hall. The play will be performed again twice on Jan. 23 at 12 p.m and 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Lunney Center. A $25 dinner, beginning at 6 p.m., will be available before the 7 p.m. Jan. 23 performance. To RSVP, email diciero@hraak.com or call 276-5822.