News & Happenings across Anchorage Archdiocese

Editor’s note: The following news items and upcoming events are for the Anchorage Archdiocese.

Free talk at Holy Spirit Center

Holy Spirit Center in Anchorage will host a 12-step retreat Sept. 6-8. Titled, “One Day at a Time,” the retreat is based on the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, and is open to anyone interested in recovery from alcoholism and other addictions. The retreat will consist of conferences, prayer, reflection, group sharing and time for individual conferences and confessions with Father John Gubbins. Father Gubbins has been in recovery for over 29 years and currently assists with ministry at two parishes in San Diego and volunteers at hospice. He has led 12-step retreats throughout the U.S. and Canada since 1999. Alison King, a former therapist with the Providence Breakthrough Program, will also facilitate. She has been on her own journey of recovery for 39 years. The retreat begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, and ends after noon lunch on Sunday, Sept 8. For more information, call Holy Spirit Center at 346-2343.

Food pantry needs volunteer shoppers

St. Francis House Food Pantry, an outreach of Catholic Social Services in Anchorage, needs volunteer shoppers on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Volunteers can serve for one day a week or one day a month. Volunteer shoppers assist clients in the selection of grocery items at St. Francis House Food Pantry. They also assist with distribution of an emergency supply of food to community members. For more information email Cindy Lentine: clentine@cssalaska.org or call 907-222-7309 or the main office 907-222-7300.

Shelter for mothers seeks assistance

Clare House, an outreach for homeless mothers with children in Anchorage, is in need of the following donated items: twin sheets, blankets, pillowcases and towels. Please drop off donations at the shelter, located at 4110 Spenard Road. The shelter also needs volunteers to serve on meal teams that provide food for the approximately 60 participants at Clare House. Teams have specific dates each month where they provide the dinner meal and drop it off at Clare House around 4 p.m. For more information email Cindy Lentine: clentine@cssalaska.org or call 907-222-7309 or the main office 907-222-7300.

Native group meets Thursdays

At St. Anthony Church in Anchorage, the Native Kateri Circle meets every Thursday at 11 a.m. for prayer, faith formation and a potluck. For more information, call 337-2583. Two other groups meet in the Mat-Su. On the second Wednesday of the month, a group gathers at Sacred Heart Church in Wasilla, and on the fourth Wednesday of the month at St. Michael Church in Palmer. For more information on the Mat-Su groups, call 238-2209.

Marriage Encounter weekend nears

On Nov. 8-10, Worldwide Marriage Encounter will host a weekend in Anchorage to affirm and celebrate marriages. The weekend at Holy Spirit Center ensures attendees privacy with no public or small group sharing necessary. The event aims to be a routine check-up with some added holy maintenance to strengthen married couples’ relationships. Information and applications are online at alaskawwme.org. For more information, call Deacon Bill or Sherry at 250-5885.

Catholic presence at Alaska State Fair

St. Michael Church in Palmer invites all Alaska State Fair visitors to stop by the parish-run eatery, Slippery Gulch. It is located in the blue metal building with white trim on the Green Trail near the mid-way and the Rat Race booth. Slippery Gulch has been at the State Fair for 54 years and is run entirely by volunteers. Parishioners serve burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, grilled ham and cheese, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chili, homemade soups, hot and cold drinks, desserts and the Slippery Gulch’s famous homemade pies. Indoor seating is provided for comfort. Those looking for spiritual nourishment are welcome to attend the Saturday night Masses at “The Gulch” beginning at 10:30 p.m. For more information or to volunteer, call 745-3229. Proceeds from Slippery Gulch go to back to the parish and its ministries.

Abortion outreach offers healing

Project Rachel is a confidential support group for post-abortive women and others who have been impacted by abortion. This ministry of the Archdiocese of Anchorage is open to all faith backgrounds and is free and open to the public. For more information, call the group’s confidential phone line at 297-7781 or toll-free (866) 434-3344. Information is also available online at projectrachelalaska.com.

High schoolers invited to national Catholic conference

High school teens invited to national conferenceAlaska high schoolers are invited to join a delegation from the Anchorage Archdiocese in attending the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis, Nov. 20-24. The gathering is the largest event in the nation for Catholic high school students, their bishops, priests, religious and lay leaders. The cost per person from Anchorage is $1,100. Registration materials and a deposit are due to parish leaders by Sept. 1. All interested participants are asked to connect with a designated NCYC coordinator from their home parish. For more information, contact Matthew Beck, archdiocesan director of the Office of Evangelization & Discipleship at mbeck@caa-ak.org or call 297-7734 or visit archdioceseofanchorage.org/ncyc2019.

Weekly Masses and adoration

* Sun.-Sat., Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

* Sun.-Sat., Perpetual Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, St. Andrew

* Sun.-Sat., Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, Blessed Sacrament Monastery, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

* Mon.-Fri., Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, St. Benedict, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

* Mon.-Tues., Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of the Snows in Girdwood, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

* Tues., Thurs., Sun., Daybreak Mass, Our Lady of Providence Chapel, 6:15 a.m.

* Wed., Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of the Snows in Girdwood, 9-10 a.m.

* Thurs., Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, St. Patrick, 6-9 p.m.

* First Fridays, Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, St. Patrick, 6-8 p.m.

* Thurs., Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of the Snows in Girdwood, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

* Thurs.-Fri., Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, St. Michael in Palmer, 7 p.m.-11:55 a.m.

* Fri., Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, Holy Family Cathedral, 7 a.m.-noon

* Fri., Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, St. Anthony, 7-8 p.m.

* Fri., Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of Guadalupe, 7-9 p.m.

* Sun., Native Mass, Alaska Native Medical Center, 11 a.m.

* Daily Mass, Our Lady of Providence Chapel, 11:30 a.m.

* Tues-Fri., Daily Mass, St. Andrew, 9 a.m.