News & happenings across Anchorage Archdiocese
Here is a sampling of upcoming events and news briefs from across the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska.
Articles by Staff Reports
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.
‘Holy Doors’ to open in Anchorage for ‘Jubilee of Mercy’
Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz has designated two holy doors, one at Holy Family Cathedral and one at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral, both in Anchorage. On Dec. 8, during the 12:10 p.m. Mass at Holy Family, Archbishop Schwietz will begin the Jubilee Year of Mercy in Southcentral Alaska with a special rite. A second such rite will take place Dec. 13 at Our Lady of Guadalupe during a 3 p.m. Mass. The faithful are invited to make a brief pilgrimage to a holy door, as a sign of the deep desire for true conversion.
UPDATE: Juneau priest remains in critical condition after cardiac arrest
UPDATE: “Since Friday morning (Nov. 27) the goal has been to have him heal and hopefully wake up,” the Juneau Diocese stated. “Although we see progress that his body is healing, unfortunately these two cardiac events have been extremely tough to his brain and body, and he has not woken up yet.”
According to the diocese, tests show that Father Weise has “a severe brain injury from a lack of oxygen during those incidents.”
Memorial Mass set for Fr. Scanlon in Anchorage
A memorial Mass for Dominican priest Father Paul Scanlon will be held at Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 1 p.m. The Mass will be bilingual.
Father Scanlon who had a major hand in establishing Dominican friars in Anchorage, died on Nov. 19 of respiratory failure in Los Angeles, Calif. He was 82. Earlier this year he was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease.
Upcoming holiday events across Anchorage Archdiocese
Here is a roundup of upcoming Advent and Christmas events from across the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska.
Juneau priest hospitalized in California
Father Thomas Weise, a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Juneau, remains hospitalized in San Luis Obispo, California following a life-threatening cardiac event that he suffered on Nov. 25 while visiting family. The 46-year-old Father Weise was ordained a priest for the Juneau Diocese in 2002.
Anchorage children plan to meet St. Nicholas on Sunday Dec. 6
On Saturday, Dec. 6th, Anchorage children will gather at St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church with hopes of spotting Saint Nicholas, the third century bishop of Myra and the inspiration behind much of the Christmas gift-giving tradition. The public is welcome to join in as the parish celebrates its patron saint with a Divine Liturgy followed by singing, dancing, gift exchanges, skits and a potluck feast.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The following letters appeared in the December issue of the Catholic Anchor.
Anchorage Archbishop’s December Calendar
CatholicAnchor.org Dec. 3, AK Conf. of Catholic Bishops, Anchorage Dec. 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 29, 9 a.m., Mass, St. Andrew, Eagle River Dec. 5, 5:30 p.m., Confirmation & Mass, Holy Cross Dec. 6, 20, 27, 10 a.m., Mass, St. Andrew Dec. 8, 12:10 p.m., Mass & opening doors for Year of Mercy, Holy…