The North Star Catholic /

National Council of Catholic Women launch Alaska chapter

The group exists to give Catholic women of the country a common voice and an instrument for unified action in matters affecting Catholic or national welfare; to ensure proper recognition of Catholic principles in national committees and national movements affecting the religious, moral and material well-being of the country. The group aims to support the work of existing Catholic women’s organizations in meeting the needs of modern culture.

Abortion healing in Alaska: Church offers support & sacraments

Father Mark Francis has first hand experience of people confessing abortion in the confessional.
“The times that I’ve had a penitent come to confession and acknowledge an abortion, it’s usually after a very long time,” he said. “I immediately think to myself, ‘God be praised that this person has responded to the grace, that nudging, however long it took, and the person is seeking God, seeking forgiveness.’”
“By ‘long time,’ I mean years,” he explained. “At least a year. I can hear the physical sigh or tears beginning. A huge weight is gone.

Bioethicist clarifies Catholic teaching on IVF

The Catholic Church’s stance against artificial birth control is widely known. Perhaps less commonly known is the church’s position on artificial reproductive technology, particularly in vitro fertilization (IVF). On Feb. 10, about 50 people gathered at St. Andrew Church in Eagle River to hear internationally acclaimed bioethicist Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk present the church’s position on in vitro fertilization, its ramifications and some of the alternatives and counsel that may be offered to couples struggling with infertility.

Alaskan priests open up about blessings, challenges of celibate life

Embracing a life of celibacy is not the norm in an American culture saturated by sexual images aimed at selling goods and stirring desires. Nevertheless, the Catholic priesthood continues to draw men to a life of total service to Christ and his church. The Catholic Anchor recently asked several Alaskan priests to share how they came to embrace a calling that entails a vow to lifelong celibacy.

March 3 hearing set for bill to restrict abortion providers from Alaska schools

A bill to restrict Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers from teaching or distributing materials in Alaska’s public schools is scheduled for a teleconferenced hearing in the Alaska Senate’s Education Committee on Thursday, March 3, at 3:30 p.m.

LETTER: Catholics must share the truth with Protestant brethren

People seem increasingly frightened to admit that the Catholic Church is the “one, holy, catholic (universal) and apostolic church” founded by Jesus Christ more than 2,000 years ago. This is especially the case when Catholics are in the presence of Protestants — our separated brethren in Christ.

Archdiocese arose, grew & matured between two Alaska earthquakes

Alaska, as we know, is a vast territory abundantly blessed by extravagant displays of nature’s beauty. Those living in Alaska never tire from experiencing the beauty of creation, which can be at the same time inspiring as well as dangerous. So it only makes sense that the origin of the Archdiocese of Anchorage is connected with the work of nature. It was a great earthquake of 1964 — Good Friday — that set in motion the process of establishing the archdiocese.

Catholic schools’ enrollment noticeably larger at annual Mass in Anchorage

Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz commented on the size of the growing number of Catholic students at the annual liturgy. “Each year, the student body is growing a larger number of students,” he said. “It’s really a blessing for us — for the whole archdiocese.”

Alaska viewed as ‘high priority’ by leading gay rights group

Alaska has been targeted as a “high priority” state by a leading gay rights activist group strategically looking to roll back religious liberty provisions in states that safeguard the rights of business owners, private and religious schools and other entities to operate their organizations in accord with their religious views and deeply held beliefs.

Alaska Senate passes bill to restrict abortion providers from public schools, boosts parental rights

The Alaska Senate passed legislation on Feb. 26 that prevents Alaska’s public schools from contracting with abortion services providers for course materials or to provide instruction relating to human sexuality. Introduced by Sen. Mike Dunleavy of Wasilla, Senate Bill 89 also ensures a parent has the right to direct the education of his or her public school child, including the right to object to and withdraw the child from state-mandated tests, and from activities or classes on sexual matters which parents find objectionable. And the bill prohibits public schools from administering student questionnaires that inquire into personal or private family affairs of the student.