Friday, May 8th, marked the first anniversary of the election of Pope Leo XIV. It is important to pray for our Holy Father and his intentions, especially for his intention for peace and reconciliation in our world: a peace grounded in love and justice. The Gospel Reading on May 8th was from the 15th chapter…
On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the federal right to abortion that permitted the deaths of over 60 million American children since the case was decided in 1973. Though many states have since restricted abortion, Alaska is not one of them. Nevertheless, the end of Roe v. Wade…
A mile away from their regular place of worship, over 20 parishioners from Holy Family parish in Anchorage gathered around a young Dominican friar atop the snow-littered ice. After reading aloud a passage from 1 Corinthians about the “imperishable crown” awarded believers, Br. Anthony Martin, O.P., a visiting 26-year-old student brother more experienced on running…
Ketchikan and Craig scouts learned more about their faith, participated in the sacramental life of the Church, and carried out service, earning Religious Emblems just in time for the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts of America’s “Ad Altare Dei” (to the altar of God) emblem. Rennan Fullerton of Boy Scout Troop 4 in Ketchikan, age…
The Feast of the Annunciation was on March 25. We commemorate a significant turning point in not only the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but also all of mankind, when Gabriel told her a God Himself would become incarnate, should she freely choose to bear Christ. In the history of art, this moment has…
On Fat Tuesday, Feb. 17, the parish hall at St. John the Baptist parish in Homer was filled with the aroma of spareribs and home-cooked dishes as members of the Knights of Columbus hosted a parish-wide potluck ahead of Lent. The following day, on Ash Wednesday, Knights once again stood visibly at the heart of…
When it came time to find the perfect present for a family friend in Confirmation classes, Anchorage’s Jean Dore knew just where to turn. A parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish, Dore was first in line for the March 1 grand reopening of St. Paul’s Corner, which recently took several big strides to streamline…
The archdiocese has two Kateri Circles. Kateri Circles are groups of Catholics, other Christians, and seekers who pratice community through a lifestyle of prayer, service, and worship. The two circles in the archdiocese are at St. Anthony parish in Anchorage and at St. Michael parish in Palmer. Each group welcomes anyone, Alaska Native or otherwise,…
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. —Luke 1:26-38 Long before people could read, art told the story of Jesus. Adorning churches and other religious buildings for centuries, Christian art not only enhanced the beauty of sacred space, glorifying God and enriching worship, but also…
February 26 marks the 45th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s visit to Anchorage in 1981. Archbishop Francis Hurley announced his visit in January, and introduced the planning committee. It comprised a mix of influential Alaskans, including Governor Walter Hickel, Max Hodel, Larry Dineen, and others. They called themselves the Committee for the Civic…