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Students urge Alaska legislators to reject assisted suicide bill

Catholic students in Anchorage have taken a stand against proposed legislation to legalize doctor-prescribed suicide in Alaska. House Bill 99, titled “Voluntary Termination of Life,” was introduced to the Alaska legislature in February by Anchorage Democrat Representatives Harriet Drummond and Andy Josephson. The bill aims to grant physicians the right to prescribe lethal drugs for the purpose of suicide. Among the many citizens contacting representatives to oppose the legislation are high school students from Holy Rosary Academy in Anchorage.

Bills on the move dealing with parental rights, faith-based health care options

In Alaska’s State Legislature this session, lawmakers face myriad bills of concern to Alaskan Catholics. Following is an update on several bills moving through the legislative process, including dates of upcoming hearings. For more information and to contact your legislators, go to akleg.gov or call 800-478-4648. To follow Catholic Anchor reports, including news updates on public testimonies and bill hearings, go online to CatholicAnchor.org. The current legislative session runs until April 19.

Proposed bills would force Alaska pharmacists and insurers to supply abortion-causing contraceptives

In the Alaska State Legislature, Democratic State Senator Berta Gardner has introduced two controversial bills to allow pharmacists in Alaska to dispense – without a doctor’s prescription – self-administered hormonal contraceptives, and to force health care insurers in the state to cover contraceptives, sterilizations and contraceptive procedures and devices – including those that cause abortion.

Alaska legislation deals with faith based health care & parental rights in education

In Alaska’s State Legislature this session, lawmakers face myriad bills of concern to Alaskan Catholics, including legislation that deals with parental rights in education and expanding faith-based health care options. Following is an update on several bills moving through the legislative process, including dates of upcoming hearings.

Vandals shoot, drive over graves at Catholic cemetery in Wasilla

Vandals damaged a gravesite headstone and monument, while stealing several items at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wasilla last week. Cemetery Consultant Dan Belanger said he has no idea who committed the crime. “Equipment and a headstone were shot at,” Belanger told the Catholic Anchor. “One headstone was run over and damaged, and supplies/equipment were stolen from the sheds.”

Youth essay contest offers free week at Alaska Catholic summer camp

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court in Anchorage is trying something new with its annual scholarship essay. In hopes of hearing from more Catholic youth, the Catholic women’s group is offering two “camperships” to St. Theresa’s Camp in Wasilla for the summer season. Camp dates start in late June and run through the end of July. Each session is for one week and the “campership” would cover the cost for the week.

Holy Family Cathedral to host Catholic women’s conference

Holy Family Cathedral is hosting a women’s conference on Feb. 20. Themed, “Faces of Mercy,” the event includes popular national presenters and opportunities for discussion, prayer and socializing with other attendees. Last year, more than 4,000 moms across the nation registered for the event, which was broadcast in many venues. The upcoming conference runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. It will include two live-streamed presentations by popular Catholic presenters and breakout discussion groups following each talk.

Cloistered Alaskan nuns craft baby booties for pro-life outreach

Six cloistered Catholic nuns, living nearly their entire lives praying behind the walls of an Alaska monastery, have embraced a new pro-life initiative. The Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Anchorage recently completed an inaugural batch of tiny handcrafted baby booties for a local crisis pregnancy center. The center will give the miniature shoes to women facing unexpected pregnancies.

Pro-life vigil keepers gather outside Anchorage Planned Parenthood

In Anchorage, prayer vigils take place in front of Planned Parenthood, where abortions are performed at 4001 East Lake Otis Parkway. In past years, the vigil was organized and coordinated through the national 40 Days for Life website. This spring campaign, however, was not officially organized but pro-life advocates are still gathering outside the abortion facility to pray.

Alaska’s Catholics tap spiritual lights amid winter darkness

Despite the dearth of light and heat many Alaskan Catholics see in winter a chance to volunteer more at their parish, pursue intellectual and spiritual works, host social gatherings and celebrate the many holy feast days that fall during this period. The rich liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas and Lent all fall within winter, as do many feast days for especially beloved saints. These are opportunities to light candles, prepare special meals at home and learn about the great saints and heroes of the faith.