Sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit at confirmation

Since the inauguration of the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau on September 17, 2020, I have traveled to many of our parishes to celebrate the sacrament of confirmation. Usually, most confirmation celebrations take place within the Easter season. However, with travel restrictions due to COVID last spring, it was necessary to celebrate confirmations in October and November 2020 and April and May 2021.

It is a privilege to administer the sacrament of confirmation throughout the archdiocese. It is lifegiving to witness so many men and women sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

I thank all of those newly initiated Catholics, their sponsors, parents, and families for giving all of us an excellent example of living the Catholic faith.

Many of our parishes and missions are only accessible by air or sea.

As I traveled throughout our new archdiocese, it struck me how large it is. From our easternmost parish, Holy Name in Ketchikan, to our parish farthest west, St. Christopher by the Sea in Unalaska via Anchorage, it is approximately the same distance from Los Angeles near the Pacific Ocean to St. Louis, Missouri, and the waters of the Mississippi River.

Even though we are widely scattered over a vast area in the Last Frontier, we remain united as Brothers and Sisters in Christ. We live in the Spirit, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we joyfully proclaim the good news of the Gospel.