After 38 years working for the Anchorage Archdiocese, Vice Chancellor Eileen Kramer officially stepped down Aug. 31. Fondly known as “The Relic,” the much respected and devoted Kramer’s career spanned all three archbishops of Anchorage — Archbishop Joseph Ryan, Archbishop Francis Hurley and current Archbishop Roger Schwietz, who is slated to retire on Nov. 9 when Wyoming Bishop Paul Etienne takes over as the fourth archbishop of Anchorage.
The Diocese of Fairbanks has lost a second priest in less than a month. On Oct. 12, the diocese reported that long-serving Jesuit Father Ted Kestler died in a fire.
In an Oct. 11 blog post Wyoming Bishop Paul Etienne said he “will be at home” as the new Archbishop of Anchorage. Slated to be installed as archbishop on Nov. 9, he wrote that he was thankful to retiring Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz for his “warm welcome and hospitality” during Bishop Etienne’s two day visit, Oct. 4-5, to his future archdiocese.
For Joann White, long-time secretary to the late Archbishop Francis Hurley, her work has always been much more a vocation than a job.
On Sept. 17, five men participated in the Rite of Lector, one of four liturgical rites on the way to being ordained as permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Anchorage.
Some words and rituals in Catholic weddings in Alaska will change, beginning this fall — and Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz believes those changes are part of a needed response to secular efforts to redefine marriage.
Alaska Native artist Theresa Mike didn’t quite believe what she was being asked to do. This summer, Vincentian Sister Mary Peter Diaz requested that Mike marshal her artistic talents to craft an ornate book covering for Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz to deliver to Pope Francis along with the newly published volume, “Alaska’s Archdiocese: Faith in the Far North.”
News of a widespread decline in infant baptisms is met with a certain level of uneasiness among some Catholics.
Chris Vance is a towering Athabascan Native, devout Catholic and an honored Alaskan athlete. Joining Special Olympics at age eight, he has competed athletically for most of the organization’s modern history. Now 42, Vance was honored this summer by the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame for his role in helping to bring the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games to Anchorage.
In this video Anchorage Archbishop-elect Paul Etienne reflects on having two brothers who are priests, a sister who is a nun. He also talks about his love for the outdoors and addresses anxieties that some Alaskans may have in getting a new archbishop.