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Youth minister aims to ignite spiritual fire in Alaska teens

Ricky Shoop doesn’t approach youth ministry with the goal of creating a fun zone or circus-like atmosphere that competes with the limitless forms of entertainment available to youth. Instead he emphasizes the intellectual capacity of teens, and the importance of fielding their most difficult questions with a sincere response. That might mean dropping all his well-laid plans in a moment. “Any teacher who values their prescribed idea or materials for the day over the inquisitive minds of his students will be prideful and ineffective,” Shoop said. “The kids must first be heard, then answered.”

Deacon lays groundwork for expanded Hispanic outreach in Alaska

Catholic outreach to Hispanics in the Anchorage Archdiocese is about to undergo a dramatic shift. Three members of the Congregation of the Mission, popularly known as Vincentians, will soon be serving the growing number of Southcentral Hispanics. Two of them are priests, and their arrival from Columbia will be determined by how quickly they receive their religious workers visas. But Deacon Arnold Hernandez is already in Anchorage, laying the groundwork for the mission by studying the needs and immersing himself in the local Hispanic culture.

Visiting Jesuit inspired by remote Alaskan Catholics

In some of Alaska’s most remote villages are Catholics who long to experience a deeper connection to the universal Catholic Church. Isolated by violent waves, Pacific storms or frozen tundra these Catholics can go months without ever seeing a priest or celebrating Mass. This stark reality inspires Jesuit Father John Rose’s regular volunteer trips north to minister to these Catholics — communities that can only celebrate the sacraments when visiting priests come through.

Catholic radio station prepares to launch in Anchorage

After more than a decade of planning and prayer, Catholics in Anchorage are mere months away from having a radio station of their very own. “Our slogan is ‘Changing hearts and changing lives,’” explained Brian Metras, lead coordinator of Holy Rosary Academy Radio.

Anchorage archbishop recalls joy and pain of 25 years a bishop

Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz expressed gratitude for his time leading the Duluth Diocese and his past 14 years heading the Archdiocese of Anchorage. He began the interview by recalling the events immediately preceding his appointment by now Saint John Paul II to become a bishop.

Holy Rosary wrestler is state champ

Holy Rosary Academy’s first season offering wrestling proved a success when freshman Michael Lucas won the state title in the 132-lb division of the Class 1-2-3A state wrestling championships in December. In an 8-2 decision, Lucas defeated Cody Greene of Valdez to finish the season with a 35-3 win-loss record.

Duggars headed for Alaska to spread pro-life culture

Millions of Americans have watched Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar display the joys of life in a large Christian family through the popular reality show “19 Kids and Counting.” In February the couple heads to Alaska to speak at Alaska Right to Life’s annual convention in Anchorage.

Alaska governor praises pro-life advocates for defending ‘precious’ life

Gov. Bill Walker praised Alaska’s pro-life advocates for their work, stating that “all life is precious and singular.” In a statement read by a representative from his office, the governor thanked the gathering of crisis pregnancy center workers, abortion recovery volunteers, religious leaders and others who braved sub-zero temperatures to participate in the Jan. 24 annual Interdenominational Prayer Service. The 15th annual event took place at the Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery to mark the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the United States.

Legislators introduce measure to repeal Alaska’s marriage definition

Pre-filed legislation for the current session of the Alaska Legislature aims at repealing the state’s constitutional understanding of marriage, which is now defined as the union between “one man and one woman.” While Alaska’s constitutional definition of marriage was struck down by a federal judge last year, the state has appealed the decision as it awaits a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court (in a separate case) on the constitutionality of any state being able to limit the legal definition of marriage to “one man and one woman.”

Proposal bills would punish Alaskans who dissent on sex orientation

Two nearly identical house bills have been pre-filed in the Alaska Legislature with the aim to establish “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” as protected classes under Alaska’s current nondiscrimination law, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin and several other classifications. The proposed legislation would require state agencies, private employers, non-religious schools and other nonprofit groups to legally recognize and accommodate the preferred “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” of employees, customers, teachers, students and others regardless of their actual physical biology.