On March 5 the Anchorage Archdiocese celebrated the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion in which 39 adults and 20 children from parishes across the archdiocese took a pivotal step in their preparations to formally enter into full communion with the Catholic Church at the upcoming Easter Vigil.
We can only imagine the various moments of prayer in Mary and Joseph’s lives as they raised the young Jesus. We can likewise ponder the tone and content of her prayer as she accompanied her Son in his ministry, and especially during his passion and crucifixion. Lent calls us to renew our own conversation with God in prayer…
“I know I look forward to Lent, but I also know how I struggle to embrace its penitential nature. This is a stark reminder of how comfortable I have become with worldly things, and how lethargic is my spirit even in its thirst for God.”
Abstaining from meat on Fridays is an important part of the Lenten season, Archbishop Etienne said. But given that the Feast of St. Patrick, March 17, falls on a Friday in Lent the archbishop granted Catholics of the Archdiocese of Anchorage a dispensation from abstinence from meat on that day.
The belief in the real Body of Christ comes from the Last Supper and the Gospel of Saint John, where Jesus says, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life … for my flesh is true food and my blood true drink.”
CatholicAnchor.org Anchorage Archbishop Paul Etienne celebrates Ash Wednesday with college students and staff at the University of Alaska, Anchorage. See photos here.
When those who oppose the church walk away from a disagreement with her they should do so with the sure knowledge that they are loved and respected.
Below are listed events and happenings scheduled across the Anchorage Archdiocese in the month of March.
It is clear that our Lenten practices cannot be ‘private.’ This season of conversion is an invitation to first be reconciled with Christ and then to be Christ-like in our relationships with one another.
Below is a recap of the February meeting that dealt with successes, failures, frustrations and ideas on how to improve communication with teens.