The North Star Catholic /

Priest who established Dominican friars in Anchorage dies

Father Paul Edward Scanlon, the tall, prayerful Dominican priest who had a major hand in establishing Dominican friars in Anchorage, died on Nov. 19 of respiratory failure in Los Angeles, Calif. He was 82. He served as provincial leader over the entire Western Dominican Province from 1969 to 1977. During that time, he accepted an invitation by late Anchorage Archbishop Joseph Ryan to bring Dominican friars to Anchorage to care for and run Holy Family Cathedral in downtown Anchorage. At that time, Father Scanlon was impressed by the need for Dominicans to establish a presence in Alaska. They’ve been here ever since.

New report reveals Alaskans’ religious identities

According to a new report by the American Values Atlas, Alaskans are far less likely than the general U.S. population to be affiliated with any particular religion or denomination. The report looked at a random sampling of 338 Alaskans across the state in 2014. Findings showed that 28 percent of Alaskans were unaffiliated. Nationally this number is growing, but Alaska is six percentage points higher than the national average.

As Alaska’s Hispanic Catholics increase, priests arrive to meet needs

The Catholic Hispanic population is one of Alaska’s fastest growing segments, and the recent arrival of two new priests has boosted outreach to this diverse group within the Anchorage Archdiocese with an eye to eventually serving pockets of Hispanic Catholics throughout the archdiocese.
The incoming priests are members of the Congregation of the Mission, popularly known as Vincentians. “This assignment is an international mission given us by our superior general in Rome,” Father Bellisario told the Catholic Anchor. The international aspect means priests can be called from various countries to help serve in Alaska.

Alaskans honored for serving as St. Francis

The annual St. Francis of Assisi Awards honor Alaskans from across the Anchorage Archdiocese who embody lives of service in the spirit of the much beloved Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order. This year, eight individuals or groups were honored for their selfless dedication during the awards banquet at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Anchorage.

Alaska teacher inspires the ‘little people’ at Catholic school

“Being able to connect faith with academics makes the whole circle complete,” she added. “The kids are very aware of who Jesus is and what choices Jesus wants for us in life. I don’t ever have to worry about offending anyone if we talk about Jesus. That’s why I teach here…I honestly don’t know if I could work again in an environment where faith wasn’t included.”

20-year-old Alaskan organist offers unique talents to the church

Twenty-year-old Brendon Mezzetti is mastering the musical world at his fingertips and offering his growing talents to the liturgical service of the Catholic Church in Alaska. Mezzetti grew up performing in the Alaska Children’s’ Choir and local small theatrical venues. A Suzuki-trained pianist since age eight, his command at the keyboard was initially harnessed while participating in community theater as a pre-teen, where he was casually tasked with transcribing a 256-page score to accompany a stage production. He dove in, and has accumulated honors at every level.

Stories of hope unfold at Catholic Social Services

I want to share with you the story of 24-year-old Emily, who while pregnant, became the legal guardian of her four brothers and sisters. Money was tight so they stayed at a shelter and St. Francis House food pantry in Anchorage provided them with healthy food.

Stewardship over oddball & leftover food

On a beautiful October Sunday, Omaha held its first “Feeding the 5,000” event at the landing down by the Missouri River. Although the title is a reference to Jesus feeding the crowd, the event’s sponsors are not linked to a religious group. Still, I think Pope Francis, who said wasting food is like stealing from the table of the poor, would enthusiastically approve.

Bethel is 2nd Alaska city to pass ‘sexual orientation’ law

On Nov. 10 the Bethel City Council unanimously passed dual ordinances prohibiting discrimination on the basis of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” with regards to city employees or outside groups contracting with the city. The move places sexual orientation and gender identity on the same protected legal status as race and religion. Bethel’s move comes just six weeks after Anchorage became the first city in Alaska to pass a sexual orientation non-discrimination law. The Anchorage law, however, is much broader in outlawing discrimination with regards to housing, public and private employment and public accommodations.

Anchorage Archbishop addresses ‘Spotlight’ movie on sex abuse crisis

I write to you regarding the church’s ministry of ensuring safe environments. I share the hope and confidence of the present and I reiterate my sadness of the past. I am sorry for any harm that has been inflicted on God’s children and their families by clergy and those in leadership who failed to protect. In November, the movie Spotlight will be released which portrays the struggle that reporters of the Boston Globe faced when shedding light on the problem of sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy and how some in church leadership failed to respond justly. It has been over 13 years since the Boston Globe broke this story and exposed, nationally, this evil that penetrated our church communities.