The North Star Catholic / FEATURED Archives - Page 118 of 121

AK governor candidates’ views on key social issues

In an effort to inform Alaskans about candidates and their positions on issues important to Catholic voters, the Catholic Anchor solicited responses to a questionnaire from the four candidates running for Alaska Governor: incumbent Republican candidate Gov. Sean Parnell, non-affiliated candidate Bill Walker, Alaska Constitutional Party candidate J.R. Meyers and Libertarian candidate Carolyn Clift. All candidates responded except for Clift, whose positions could not be ascertained from either her website or her public statements on the issues listed below.

Anchorage to establish co-cathedral

In an effort to better serve the needs of a growing Catholic population, Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz has decided to establish Our Lady of Guadalupe Church as the co-cathedral for the Anchorage Archdiocese. This will officially occur during a special Mass on Dec. 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Holy Family Cathedral will continue as the “historic cathedral” and should always be considered to be the “primary church of the archdiocese,” Archbishop Schwietz told the Catholic Anchor.

Archbishop: Alaska Native suffering must never be forgotten

The Catholic Church must never forget its “failure to honor” Alaska Natives or the suffering these people endured as many missionaries to Alaska failed to appreciate the depth of native language and culture. This was one aspect of the Oct. 22 homily given by Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz at Holy Family Cathedral during the annual Mass celebrated just before the start of the Alaska Federation of Natives yearly convention.

Colorado doc warns Alaskans of rec. marijuana

Gunderson is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado. She was invited by Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz and Juneau Bishop Edward Burns to speak to the public about the impact of pot use and abuse since its legalization in Colorado last April.

Alaska Catholic men to publicly pray for end of abortion

Catholic Men for Life, a lay apostolate at Anchorage’s Holy Family Cathedral, has invited all local Catholic men to gather on Saturday, Oct. 25, to peacefully pray for an end to abortion. The all-day vigil will begin with a 7 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross Church.

AK bishops warn against legalizing recreational marijuana

The debate in favor of legalization has largely been framed in the language of personal freedom. Our personal freedom exists in the context of the communities to which we belong. As Catholics, we believe we have a responsibility to one another and to the wider community. Personal freedom that is not balanced by sensible regulation for the common good destroys the communities that are the guarantors of our personal freedom.

Alaska to appeal same-sex ‘marriage’ ruling

The ruling against Alaska’s marriage amendment comes at a time when the Catholic Church is grappling with how to support and defend long-standing ideals regarding marriage as the life-long union of one man and one woman and family life as the basic institution for the rearing of children.

Oppose religious persecution in all forms

There are two basic forms of religious persecution. The first is more subtle and moves by almost imperceptible degrees in an effort to restrict and prohibit people of faith from running charitable outreaches and schools or conducting their business in a manner that reflects and respects their deeply held religious beliefs.

Catholic experts debate morality of marijuana

The dawning of legalized marijuana across the states in recent years, has prompted church experts to try to clear the haze about the much-debated drug. In November Alaskans will vote on whether to legalize recreational use of marijuana. Last year Colorado and Washington passed unprecedented laws making legal recreational use of marijuana. Lawmakers in those states have attempted to make ways to shift marijuana from the black market to a regulated and taxed commercial enterprise. Medical use alone is already legal in 18 states including Alaska.

Mat-Su school pilots classics-based Catholic curriculum

This year Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School in Wasilla is piloting a new curriculum for the 4th and 5th grades, as it discerns whether to implement a classical approach to education throughout the K-8th grade school.
The school was founded eight years ago but with a change in administration last year, the school was at a natural point to pilot a new curriculum approach, said acting Principal Joyce Lund.
“A number of schools, private and even diocesan schools are finding growth and enthusiasm in the rediscovery of rigorous, classical liberal arts curriculum,” she said, noting that over the last 15 years classics-based schools have seen rapid expansion.