Fairbanks Bishop Steven Maekawa, O.P., celebrates Mass before AFN convention

Bishop of Fairbanks Steven Maekawa, O.P. celebrated Mass at Holy Family parish in Anchorage on October 15, preceeding the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) convention. To celebrate the archdiocese’s Alaska Native community, present for the Mass were many members of the archdiocese’s Kateri Circles, and Sr. Jean Rhoads, D.C. 

Concelebrating with Bishop Maekawa, who formerly served as pastor at Holy Family were Frs. James Moore, O.P., Patrick Travers, and Luz Flores. Archie Lokanin lead the procession, carrying the archdiocese’s Native cross.

The cross has its origin in the 1970s when Archbishop Francis Hurley encouraged the creation of the Native Ministry, according to Teddy Mayac Sr., originally of King Island, who designed the cross. Each of its four drums represent one group of Alaska Natives. The topmost honors Athabascans, at the sides are one drum honoring the Iñupiat and another the Yup’ik, and the bottom drum honors the Aleut. Six eagle feathers, traditionally used in purification rituals, also adorn the horizontal section of the cross: the first belongs to the Athabascan, the second to the Iñupiat, the third to the Yup’ik, the fourth to the Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian, the fifth to the Aleut, and the sixth to the Natives of the Lower 48.  Additionally, the cross has a small crucifix gifted by Fr. Thomas Gallagher, S.J.

In his homily, Bishop Maekawa preached about trust in others and in God. He discussed Christ’s patience with the Pharisees and with all people, noting how patience manifests in numerous ways, from gentle reminders to hard conversations, yet Christ’s patience does not give up. He asked that Catholics likewise not give up on each other and “absolutely not on Jesus.”  

Members of the Kateri Circle assisted at the Mass. Mari-lyn Lokanin served as the first lector, Francine Bolewicz lead the responsorial psalm; and Agnes Bostrom led the Prayers of the Faithful, praying that relief and grace may be granted to those in Western Alaska recently affected by Typhoon Halong. Aimee Aloysius and Donald Mike brought up the gifts during the offertory. Together, they sang Yup’ik songs during the prepa-ration of the gifts.

As Bishop Maekawa prayed the words of consecration, the drums were struck three times. 

During the Our Father, Gemma Gaudio, a member of the Kateri Circle, signed before the congregation with her tegumiak, Yup’ik fans made of caribou fur, while the Our Father was sung in Yup’ik. 

After Mass, the Kateri Circle gathered for a picture with Bishop Maekawa before leaving to prepare for the ANF Convention, where they ran booths exhibiting kuspuk, beadwork, parkas, and painting.