The soon-to-be saint Charles de Foucauld, who left behind a rich aristocratic life to live among desert-dwellers in Algeria, wrote to a friend, “to receive the grace of God you must go to a desert place and stay awhile…so that God can build his hermitage within…” But the irony of desert places is that they’re…
Alaskan kids enjoy all that the summer has to offer, but this time of year means instability and adversity for many. Summer break becomes a stretch of time where children go without the consistent presence of a mandated reporter of child abuse in their life. In fact, teachers and other school staff are the single…
Dear Fr. Leo:As a convert, I have difficulty with all the attention paid to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It seems to overshadow even that of Christ. Why is it so important that she was conceived without sin? – G Dear G,You raise an exceptionally good point. From the outset, it is important to make the…
In 2001, Robert Putnam published Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. The book did well, maybe in part because of that catchy title, and a new edition is out now. Its point wasn’t the collapse of bowling leagues, however. Instead, it was a broad look at how membership in community groups was…
By Father Steve MaekawaThe North Star Catholic On May 17, Archbishop Bellisario presented the Benemerenti Medal to Ed and Cathy Rasmuson during vespers at Holy Family Old Cathedral in Anchorage. It was a special recognition bestowed by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to the Rasmusons for their lasting and exceptional service to the Catholic Church…
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…
By Dominique JohnsonThe North Star Catholic On April 7th, Father Jose Thomas, with the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, arrived in Juneau from Kerala, India, a state in the southern part of the country, to serve as a missionary priest in the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau. In his short time in Alaska, Father Jose said…
By Kara MoriartyThe North Star Catholic Lumen Christi High School held its commencement ceremony for the seven graduates of the Class of 2021 on May 6, 2021. While in-person attendance to the graduation was limited to the students’ family and school staff, the school gymnasium was filled with excitement. The class chose a quote from…
Holy Name Catholic Preschool, Ketchikan Holy Name Catholic Preschool has had a year unlike any other! Yet, our mission, values and experience have stayed the same. We used new ways to explore and learn while keeping each other as safe and healthy as possible. 2020 proved to be different in a few ways for Holy…
By Tami M. ScimeThe North Star Catholic Nestled at the northern end of the Lynn Canal in a valley bordering Canada is the small town of Skagway. Founded in 1897, its population during the height of the gold rush swelled to over 3000. While Skagway might see a higher population during a typical summer season,…