The North Star Catholic / EDITOR'S PICKS Archives - Page 118 of 170

Alaskans to join April 23 nationwide protest against Planned Parenthood

On April 23, nationally coordinated protests will be held at more than 200 Planned Parenthood centers throughout the United States, including the center at 4001 Lake Otis Parkway (Suite 101) in Anchorage.

These protests are being organized by the #ProtestPP coalition, formed in response to the undercover videos released last year showing Planned Parenthood officials discussing the harvesting and selling of body parts from aborted children.

Bill to strengthen faith-based health care options in Alaska running out of time

CatholicAnchor.org With only three days left before the current session of the Alaska Legislature ends, a measure to exempt religious-based health care sharing ministries (HCSMs) from being regulated as health insurance in Alaska has yet to pass out of the House. Senate Bill 18 is currently in the House Rules Committee, but has not been…

Time winding down in effort to protect Alaskans’ parental rights in sex ed classes

A measure aimed at protecting Alaskans parental rights regarding the teaching of sex education and other controversial topics is running out of time as the current session of the Alaska Legislature winds down.

April 12 public testimony on abortion, parental rights in Alaska

With only days left before the end of the current Alaska Legislature session, Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Alaska are applying pressure on Alaska lawmakers to reject a bill aimed at giving Alaskan parents greater freedom in directing the education of their children, including the right to opt out of standardized tests and controversial sex instruction classes. The bill would also prohibit organizations that perform abortions from teaching in public schools.

Miracles, doubt and building up faith

I like history, I’m fascinated by the historical Jesus, and, let’s face it, cynic that I am sometimes, I want a miracle now and then. Again, who doesn’t?

STUDENT ESSAY: Why I love attending Catholic school

Most people overlook Catholic schools but they are a great source for religious formation and a good source of knowledge and service. Catholic schooling has changed me for the better, and you might just be inspired to take another look at Catholic schools.

Affirming ‘absolute truth’ is not a knock against Christianity

I write this column to young, 20-something Catholics. You are a treasure for the church, and in need of real answers to the hard questions you face. I also write to parents who suffer when a child leaves the church and perhaps even loses her faith in God. Today’s young people need clear answers to questions that come at them from friends, the culture and even family members. Parents need help answering questions children pose. We must do better in this regard because the church is hemorrhaging young people.

Showing mercy in the most challenging situations

Pope Francis calls us to focus on mercy this year, and our society asks us to focus on Child Abuse Awareness for the month of April. But what do mercy and child abuse awareness have in common?

In search of a ‘A Love Supreme’

Love is a serious word, it carries many emotional meanings but fundamentally it conveys the sense that we would be willing to give up all else, not for this thing but for this person or persons, these people who have cast their lot with us and are willing to travel the world’s paths with us until death. Love then is serious business.

EDITORIAL: Churches must welcome out-of-wedlock pregnancies

Churches have a particular challenge regarding the issue of out-of-wedlock pregnancies. On the one hand, the teachings of Christ and his church affirm that sex is to be reserved for the bond of faithful, lifelong marriage. Many churches have effective youth and young adult outreaches to help parishioners strengthen moral resolve in this area. And yet, a percentage of young people fall short. In some cases, this leads to a pregnancy. This is impossible to hide from public view — especially if mothers choose life for their unborn child and carry her to term.