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

Are you called to serve the Catholic Church as a deacon?

The name “deacon” means minister or servant. In Scripture, in Acts of the Apostles, we hear of seven good men selected to serve the church community. These seven men needed to be of good reputation, filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom, given to prayer and ministry of the Word. These men are considered to be the first deacons of the Catholic Church. Among them was Saint Stephen, who became the first martyr. Their function was to serve at table for the distribution of food and goods to ensure a fair and equal share was received by all widows and orphans of the community.

Alaska’s three dioceses make changes to marriage nullity cases

In conforming with Pope Francis’ call to reform the annulment process of marriage tribunals around the world, the three dioceses in Alaska have made procedural changes when it comes to declaring whether a sacramental marriage ever took place between a man and a woman. The new process aims to streamline the system for granting annulments, while continuing to affirm the longstanding Catholic recognition that valid marriages are indissoluble.

New annulment process begins in marriage tribunals

The new process is aimed at streamlining the system for granting annulments out of concern “for the salvation of souls” while affirming the longstanding Catholic teaching on marriage indissolubility. Originally announced in September, the changes went into effect Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the opening day of the Jubilee for Mercy.

Community Calendar for Anchorage Archdiocese

The following liturgies and community events are slated to take place in January in the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska.

Ladies’ retreat in Anchorage to explore how Church arose

The retreat will be led by Benedictine priest Father Joseph McGilloway, who currently serves as pastor at Holy Cross Church in Anchorage. He will speak on the theme, “From Christ to Constantine: How We Became a Church.”

Upcoming Debate: Should Alaskans approve assisted suicide?

Should Alaskans approve physician proscribed assisted suicide? This is the next issue slated for public debate on Jan. 11 at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub in Anchorage.

Decoding ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’

The song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is an English Christmas carol. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church.

Midnight Mass is heart of Nativity celebration

On the evening of Dec. 24, Catholics in Alaska and around the world will gather in their local parishes to celebrate the traditional Christmas Midnight Mass. At Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral, Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz will celebrate the Midnight Mass beginning at midnight, and it will be broadcast live on KTUU Channel 2.

News & happenings across Anchorage Archdiocese

Here is a sampling of upcoming events and news briefs from across the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska.

Simbang Gabi Masses prepare Alaskans for Christmas

Simbang Gabi is a series of special Masses leading up to Christmas. The celebration of the nine-day novena is one of the longest-running and most popular Catholic Filipino religious traditions, enduring more than 600 years. At the Masses, the faithful especially focus on the Blessed Virgin Mary and ready their hearts to worthily welcome and receive the Child Jesus at Christmas.