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Priest who established Dominican friars in Anchorage dies

Father Paul Edward Scanlon, the tall, prayerful Dominican priest who had a major hand in establishing Dominican friars in Anchorage, died on Nov. 19 of respiratory failure in Los Angeles, Calif. He was 82. He served as provincial leader over the entire Western Dominican Province from 1969 to 1977. During that time, he accepted an invitation by late Anchorage Archbishop Joseph Ryan to bring Dominican friars to Anchorage to care for and run Holy Family Cathedral in downtown Anchorage. At that time, Father Scanlon was impressed by the need for Dominicans to establish a presence in Alaska. They’ve been here ever since.

New report reveals Alaskans’ religious identities

According to a new report by the American Values Atlas, Alaskans are far less likely than the general U.S. population to be affiliated with any particular religion or denomination. The report looked at a random sampling of 338 Alaskans across the state in 2014. Findings showed that 28 percent of Alaskans were unaffiliated. Nationally this number is growing, but Alaska is six percentage points higher than the national average.

As Alaska’s Hispanic Catholics increase, priests arrive to meet needs

The Catholic Hispanic population is one of Alaska’s fastest growing segments, and the recent arrival of two new priests has boosted outreach to this diverse group within the Anchorage Archdiocese with an eye to eventually serving pockets of Hispanic Catholics throughout the archdiocese.
The incoming priests are members of the Congregation of the Mission, popularly known as Vincentians. “This assignment is an international mission given us by our superior general in Rome,” Father Bellisario told the Catholic Anchor. The international aspect means priests can be called from various countries to help serve in Alaska.

Alaska teacher inspires the ‘little people’ at Catholic school

“Being able to connect faith with academics makes the whole circle complete,” she added. “The kids are very aware of who Jesus is and what choices Jesus wants for us in life. I don’t ever have to worry about offending anyone if we talk about Jesus. That’s why I teach here…I honestly don’t know if I could work again in an environment where faith wasn’t included.”

20-year-old Alaskan organist offers unique talents to the church

Twenty-year-old Brendon Mezzetti is mastering the musical world at his fingertips and offering his growing talents to the liturgical service of the Catholic Church in Alaska. Mezzetti grew up performing in the Alaska Children’s’ Choir and local small theatrical venues. A Suzuki-trained pianist since age eight, his command at the keyboard was initially harnessed while participating in community theater as a pre-teen, where he was casually tasked with transcribing a 256-page score to accompany a stage production. He dove in, and has accumulated honors at every level.

Anchorage’s LGBT law seen as threat to religious liberty in the public square

The Anchorage Assembly passed an ordinance last month establishing “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” as classifications of prohibited discrimination in the Anchorage civil code. The move places sexual orientation and gender identity on the same legal level as race and religion.
Religious liberty advocates are deeply concerned that the new ordinance compels local churches, faith-based groups and business owners to violate deeply held beliefs by forcing them to hire employees who are openly living a homosexual and/or transgender lifestyle, while also forcing service companies and rental organizations to promote, serve and facilitate causes and events which violate their moral beliefs, especially in the area of sexuality.

Synops of the Synod: Show, then tell

For three weeks, Cardinals, archbishops, priests from around the world gathered in Rome to grapple with how Catholics can better reach out to families — inviting them to a fuller encounter with Christ and his church. While much of the global press focused on hot-button debates about whether to let divorced and civilly remarried couples return to Communion, or how the church can use different language in reference to gays and lesbians and those living together outside of marriage, the expressed purpose of the synod was to find ways to support the first cell of the church — the family.

Anchorage Archbishop impressed by seeing pope’s courage

I saw Pope Francis on the eventful day of Sept. 23 in Washington, D.C. and marveled at his determination to be fully present to us. Here was a man just three years older than me. He clearly suffered limitations of his mobility but never let that stop his ministry. It made me feel that my own little aches and pains of growing older are nothing in comparison with what he was experiencing. At times he seemed very weary but continued on courageously.

Alaska’s DC delegation impressed by pope’s address to Congress

Alaska’s three-member congressional delegation expressed deep gratitude that Pope Francis took time out of his apostolic visit to the United States to become the first-ever pontiff to speak to both houses of Congress on Sept. 24 in Washington, D.C.

Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, both Catholic, attended the historic papal address in the House Chambers, along with Representative Don Young. Also in attendance were the president’s cabinet and members of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Encounter with pope leaves lasting memories for Alaskans

Several Alaskans made personal, cross-country trips to see Pope Francis during his historic five-day apostolic visit to the United States. He started in Washington, DC, where he met with President Barack Obama, addressed Congress and canonized Saint Junipero Serra — the first saint to be canonized on American soil. Among the Alaskans were Father Tom Lilly, Mary Gore and her sister Annie Gore and Joan Nockles. These pilgrims recalled their trip to with much joy and fondness.