Alaska shrine officially recognized as national treasure
Adding to the more than 70 national shrines in the United States, the St. Therese Shrine in Juneau was added by the U.S. bishops to the national list on her Oct. 1 feast day this year.
VIDEO: Priest affirms that women can find healing after abortion
Project Rachel is an international pro-life outreach with a chapter in Alaska that helps women find healing after abortion. Here Father Michael Shields, a missionary priest from Alaska to Magadan, Russia, talks about the importance of this outreach to suffering women.
Artist behind new Anchorage archbishop’s coat of arms has global reach
A coat of arms, or heraldic achievement, is a centuries-old tradition of creating graphic representations of significant persons, families or countries. Catholic bishops adopted the practice centuries ago when an increasing number of nobles received appointments to the episcopacy, bringing with them their family heraldry. Now, every newly elected bishop receives a coat of arms.
Bishops unite the church in proclaiming the faith
With the upcoming Nov. 9 installation of Bishop Paul Etienne as the new archbishop of Anchorage, the unique role of a bishop will be visibly celebrated in the installation Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Anchorage. There, Archbishop Etienne will assume leadership of the archdiocese as the faithful acknowledge the ancient Catholic teaching that the fullness of holy orders, in all its powers and responsibilities, rests in the hands of the local bishop.
Installation of new Anchorage Archbishop involves all the faithful
A bishop’s installation is a time-honored tradition in the Catholic Church, and a vivid reminder about one of the faith’s central teachings — apostolic succession — which traces today’s bishops from an unbroken line down to the Twelve Apostles who were commissioned by Christ. With that tenet of the faith in mind, the Anchorage Archdiocese is busy preparing for its new archbishop. It is an occasion area Catholics are encouraged to help celebrate.
Family of new Anchorage archbishop see a skilled ‘servant leader’
From teen shoe salesman in Tell City, Indiana, to archbishop of Anchorage, it seems his life has been full of unexpected turns. That’s how Bishop Paul Etienne of Cheyenne, Wyoming, described his elevation to archbishop and assignment to the Far North. But some people weren’t too surprised the pope chose him for greater responsibilities, namely the family who watched him grow up.
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Installation of Anchorage Archbishop to air live online
The installation of Bishop Paul Etienne as the new archbishop of Anchorage will be live streamed on the Catholic Anchor website — CatholicAnchor.org. The installation Mass, in which Archbishop Roger Schwietz will formally hand over leadership of the Anchorage Archdiocese to his successor, will take place on Nov. 9, beginning at 2 p.m.
New archbishop’s first message to Alaska youth: Speak with God like a friend
The next archbishop of Anchorage had a simple message for Alaska’s youth: “God wants to be personal with us.” This was the theme Bishop Paul Etienne highlighted in his first address to Alaskan youth during a recent Mass at Lumen Christi High School in Anchorage.
Justices who overturned Alaska’s abortion parental notice law up for election
Two Alaska Supreme Court justices are up for election this fall. The judges are Justices Peter Maasen and Joel Bolger, who helped strike down a voter-approved law requiring at least one parent be notified before an abortion could be perform on a minor girl. On Nov. 8 Alaskans will decide whether to remove Maasen and Bolger.