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

Religious brother was a savvy media point-man for Anchorage Archdiocese

Brother McBride initially came to Alaska in 1979 to work at St. Theresa’s Camp, the summer youth camp on the Kenai Peninsula. But then-Archbishop Francis Hurley tapped him to be the media point man for the event that to this day is still regarded as the largest gathering of people ever in Alaska: Pope John Paul II’s visit to Anchorage in February 1981. Brother McBride was communications director after that, a position he described as mostly “feeding and comforting the press.”

Young Alaskans take service mission to Kodiak Island

More than 30 youth joined seven adults from three parishes in the Archdiocese of Anchorage for a trip to St. Mary Church on Kodiak Island for a week-long service mission trip in June. Adults and youth from Our Lady of the Angels Church in Kenai, St. Patrick Church in Anchorage and St. Andrew Church in Eagle River joined forces with Father Frank Reitter and youth from St. Mary in Kodiak.

Anchorage seminarian to take pivotal step toward priesthood

Seminarian Kevin Klump, who since 2011 has been in formation to become a priest for the Anchorage Archdiocese, will take a pivotal step in his journey this month. On Aug. 2 he will participate in the Mass of Candidacy with Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz at 8:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Anchorage.

Alaskans call on lawmakers to defund Planned Parenthood

An estimated 100 Alaskans gathered in Anchorage on July 28 urging lawmakers to investigate and defund Planned Parenthood in the wake of several undercover videos released in July by the Center for Medical Progress. The videos show Planned Parenthood officials discussing the harvesting and sale of body parts from aborted babies. More than 50 cities across the United States held rallies following the release of the videos.

Community Calendar for August

The following is a sample of some of the community events slated for the month of August in the Archdiocese of Anchorage.

Archbishop’s August Calendar

The following is a list of liturgies and events that Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz plans to celebrate and attend during the month of August.

News & Events around the Anchorage Archdiocese

Here is a short round-up of some news items and upcoming events across the Archdiocese of Anchorage.

Alaskans plan rally against Planned Parenthood practices

In response to the undercover videos released from the Center for Medical Progress in mid-July that showed Planned Parenthood officials discussing the harvesting and sale of body parts from aborted babies, dozens of rallies will be held on Tuesday, July 28 in more than 50 cities across the United States including in Anchorage.

New priest assignments in Anchorage Archdiocese

Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz has announced several new assignments for long-standing priests in the Anchorage Archdiocese.

VIDEO: Newest Alaskan priest ordained for the church

Here is a short seven-minute video highlighting the ordination of Father Arthur Roraff to the Catholic priesthood. The ordination by Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz took place on June 19 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Anchorage.