The important question to ask is this: are these buildings of ultimate importance in and of themselves? In truth the sacred buildings find their importance within the context of the sacred liturgies that the church itself, the worshipping Body of Christ, celebrates every Sunday.
With the aim of ending abortion in America, 40 Days for Life is in the middle of a 40-day bus tour to bring its message to cities and towns across the United States that are united in prayer and fasting during this fall’s 40 Days for Life campaign. The tour will hold a rally in Anchorage at 7 p.m., October 24, on the public sidewalk outside of Planned Parenthood (4001 E. Lake Otis Parkway).
I am an older priest now and it seems I still know very little. But I do know this: If we want to stop the tragedy of abortion, we must show more active love to the mom and her unborn child.
Sister Ann Fallon, 89, former superintendent of schools for the Anchorage Archdiocese, is celebrating her 70th year as an Adrian Dominican sister. From 2006-2011 she lived and served in Alaska, helping unite Catholic schools across the Anchorage Archdiocese into a Catholic school system. She also helped launch Our Lady of the Valley School in Wasilla.
Finding real community, even within a church, isn’t always easy. It takes effort. Fall is the time when churches are gearing up for classes and other activities. To find and foster community, take the chance and get involved with a parish committee or the class that’s exploring Scripture. Merely showing up on Sunday morning is not enough to forge community. It’s just a start.
The Alaskan community from which my vocation sprang has always been and will always be in the heart of my priestly ministry.
Despite being founded by Jesus Christ and enduring for 2,000 years, the Catholic Church is not like a mountain range or old growth forest, which could endure even if all humankind were wiped from the face of the earth.
A recent study by Care Net and Lifeway revealed that four out of every 10 abortions are performed on women who are actively involved in a church. The study reveals that many of these women never share their decision with anyone at their church.
In a time when many Catholic leaders are desperately looking for ways to engage teens, an event in Anchorage continues to inspire youth to dig into their Bibles, Catechisms and the teaching documents of the Catholic Church.
The newly appointed Archbishop of Anchorage, Bishop Paul Etienne, will be formally installed on Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Anchorage. A solemn evening of prayer will proceed the installation on Nov. 8, 7 p.m., at Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage. The public is invited to attend these events.