Dear Fr. LeoIs the Catholic Church the only church that venerates relics? What’s the deal with relics, anyway?G Dear G:In truth, relics are venerated not only by Catholics, but also by Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Christians. Due to some of the abuses which happened in the Middle Ages, the churches and ecclesial communities which grew…
What an exciting and gracious feeling I had when my plane made its approach into the Juneau airport last month. Through partial clouds and sun appeared towering mountains, solitary islands, and inviting coves. It was familiar and, at the same time, unique. This familiar and unique character also deeply includes a shared faith amongst our…
June 20th is World Refugee Day, a day celebrated internationally to honor refugees worldwide – those who have fled war, violence, conflict, or persecution, and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country. We spend this time celebrating the strength of those forced to flee their home, building understanding for their plight,…
A few days ago, on May 20, the Ignatian Year began. That date marked the 500th anniversary of a cannonball shattering the right knee of a young man named Inigo Lopez de Loyola. For all of you who, like me, have had knee transplants or surgery, that sentence makes you squirm. For the young man…
Once a month, I lead an Hour of Prayer service for the archdiocese. The monthly Hour of Prayer includes a short reflection on the prayer intention for the hour, a scripture rosary led by parishioners, quiet time in adoration before the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, and concludes with Benediction. During the…
By Deacon Dave Van TuylThe North Star Catholic On Friday evening, April 16th, Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M. celebrated Mass and presided at the Rite of Lector for the four candidates for ordination to the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau. John Ostrom (St. Patrick’s, Anchorage), Don Remer (St. Andrew’s, Eagle River), Jon Agosti (St….
A total of nine students will graduate from Lumen Christi High School and Holy Rosary Academy this spring. Congratulations to our graduates! We wish you the very best in your endeavors. Senior Profiles: Lumen Christi High School Mary Baker was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, and moved to Anchorage in 7th grade. She started attending Lumen…
By Effie CaldarolaThe North Star Catholic Death, especially a sudden death, can demand decisions that come at a most difficult time. Not everyone has made plans. For the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau, there are resources that can help. The approach of Memorial Day at the end of May is an opportunity to explore avenues available. “We…
By Father Mike GalbraithThe North Star Catholic St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church is located in the Mendenhall Valley, twelve miles north of Juneau, Alaska, in the Southeastern Panhandle. The original church was first established and built in 1962 as a mission of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in downtown…
By Kara MoriartyThe North Star Catholic Lumen Christi, one of the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau’s Catholic schools, won the Class 1A Boys Basketball Championship in Palmer on April 3. This was the first championship for the Archangels since 2004, and the first for Lumen in Class 1A. For the first time in school history, both the…