The Boy Scouts of America took the final step in July to lift its ban on Scout leaders who openly profess homosexuality – but many gay activists decried the change for not going far enough. The BSA executive committee passed a resolution to lift the ban and then on July 27, the National Executive Board ratified the decision, with 79 percent of the board’s 80 members agreeing.
Here is a listing of news and upcoming events from around the Anchorage Archdiocese.
Anchorage seminarian Kevin Klump has been in formation for the priesthood since 2011. He is on track to be ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Anchorage in the summer of 2019. This fall he will be studying theology at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn
In an effort to increase opportunities for a Catholic education, the Anchorage Archdiocese has merged two education scholarship funds to provide more financial assistance to students attending local Catholic schools. After the archdiocese contacted donors earlier this year, Archbishop Roger Schwietz approved combining the Jackson Scholarship with the Archangel Fund, a move that nearly doubles money available to students for annual scholarship payouts.
On Sept. 15, Holy Family Cathedral marks 100 years of providing the sacraments and spreading the Gospel in downtown Anchorage. Located at the corner of 5th Ave. and H Street, the cathedral campus occupies most of an entire city block. That wasn’t the case back in 1915 when the humble wood-structure parish became the first church built in Anchorage.
Here is a listing of the liturgies and events that Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz plans to participate in during the month of September.
Political activist and syndicated columnist, Jim Hightower, describes our political/economic system as “Dooh Nibor,” Robin Hood spelled backwards. He argues our country increasingly robs from the poor to give to the rich.
This year’s Alaska Catholic Youth Conference in Anchorage challenged me to dig deeper into my understanding of Catholicism and, as a result, how to practice my faith in daily life. This intense four-day spiritual journey featured a large variety of workshops, ranging from tech addiction to medical bioethics to human dignity, as well as keynote speakers after every meal.
Catholics radio has launched in Anchorage and KHRM, 94.1 FM aims to evangelize, educate and inspire area Catholics and all others who tune in. The station’s vision is to “proclaim the truth of the Catholic Church with listener-supported radio in Anchorage that strengthens Catholics’ faith and acts as a voice and a resource for Catholic values and moral stances on public issues.”
I am deeply grateful for your presence here, joining me in thanking God for the privilege of serving God’s people as a bishop these past 25 plus years. The memories of the beautiful people I have encountered and the astounding experiences I have had, come flooding in on me as I reflect on these graced years.