Those who doubt the existence or goodness of God as affirmed by Christians often point to all the suffering in the world. How can God be compassionate if he allows suffering? How can he be a mighty God if he can’t end suffering?
Teens from around Alaska are participating in the annual Alaska Catholic Youth Conference, which runs June 6-9 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral and Lumen Christi High School in Anchorage. This year’s theme is “Boundless Mercy.”
Seminarian Spencer Hodgson participated in the Mass of Candidacy with Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz on June 1 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Anchorage. This was the moment when he formally and publically declared before the archbishop his desire to become a candidate for the sacrament of holy orders.
Seminarian Spencer Hodgson, who has been in formation since 2014 to become a priest for the Anchorage Archdiocese, will take a pivotal step in his journey tonight, June 1, when he participates in the Mass of Candidacy with Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz at 7 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Anchorage.
As a young girl growing up in Western Washington, Beverly Walsh didn’t imagine her life ahead: a journey into the Catholic Church, a marriage that would take her to Alaska and produce eight children including a son who is a priest, and a faith commitment that would establish her as a leading woman in the Catholic Church in Southcentral Alaska.
Youth planning to attend the Alaska Catholic Youth Conference (ACYC) are in for some new surprises and activities. Organizers for the annual conference, held at Lumen Christi High School and Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral from June 6 -9, are aiming for an engaging, uplifting and challenging event — open to middle and high school students.
A recent reflection on the sacrament of confirmation by Bishop Robert Barron as published in the Catholic Anchor got me thinking back on my 26 years confirming Catholics. Conferring the sacrament of confirmation has always been a great joy in my ministry as bishop, but in looking back over the years I can see that my message changed at some point. That is, of course, because the world has changed a great deal since 1990.
On May 6 at Holy Family Cathedral Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz ordained David Van Tuyl as a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Anchorage. Read the full story of his journey in the upcoming June issue of the Catholic Anchor.
A presentation on the alleged relics of Christ will take place Monday, May 16, at Heritage Place in Soldotna. Presented by local historian and former U.S. Senate candidate Bob Bird, who has studied the Shroud of Turin extensively, the talk will examine the scientific and historical evidence for the existence of Christ’s relics.
This spring, Holy Rosary Academy will celebrate the graduation of its largest class in recent years. Seven full-time students, and three part-time students will participate in the 2016 commencement exercises on May 18 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral. The seniors have collectively been offered over $1 million in scholarships from colleges and universities across the country. The following are short profiles of each of the students.