Community Calendar for Anchorage Archdiocese
The following liturgies and community events are slated to take place in January in the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska.
News & upcoming events across Anchorage Archdiocese
CatholicAnchor.org The following news briefs and event notices appear in the January issue of the Catholic Anchor, the official newspaper and news website for the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska. Search continues for longest married couple in Alaska Worldwide Marriage Encounter, the Christian marriage enrichment program, is launching its annual search for the longest married…
Discovering hope in a violent age
In these most recent times we recall violent events in such places as Baltimore, Ferguson, death in an Oregon classroom, death of a black teenager on a Chicago street, death at an abortion facility in Colorado Springs and, last but not least, the killing of fourteen innocent Christmas celebrants in San Bernardino, California. Perhaps T.S. Eliot had come upon some deep mystery when he said that we keep coming back to our beginnings, hoping that we will discover some meaning in the events that face us, as though for the first time.
Anchorage Archbishop’s Jan. Calendar
CatholicAnchor.org Jan. 1, 5-8, 12, 15 – 9 a.m., Mass, St. Andrew Jan. 2, 9, 16 – 3:30 p.m., Reconciliation, St. Andrew Jan. 2, 9, 16 – 5:30 p.m., Mass, St. Andrew Jan. 3, 10, 17 – 10 a.m., Mass, St. Andrew Jan. 3, 10, 17 – 7 p.m., Mass, St. Andrew Jan. 18-21, Episcopal…
Ladies’ retreat in Anchorage to explore how Church arose
The retreat will be led by Benedictine priest Father Joseph McGilloway, who currently serves as pastor at Holy Cross Church in Anchorage. He will speak on the theme, “From Christ to Constantine: How We Became a Church.”
Upcoming Debate: Should Alaskans approve assisted suicide?
Should Alaskans approve physician proscribed assisted suicide? This is the next issue slated for public debate on Jan. 11 at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub in Anchorage.
‘Perfect storm’ raises safety issues at Br. Francis Shelter
Just as when Brother Francis Shelter opened, we are in a perfect storm. We have a faltering economy, homelessness on the rise, increasing numbers of vulnerable citizens without shelter, and safety is an issue. Working in close partnership with government agencies, businesses and committed individuals, Catholic Social Services is striving to achieve short and long-term solutions.
Decoding ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’
The song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is an English Christmas carol. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church.
Midnight Mass is heart of Nativity celebration
On the evening of Dec. 24, Catholics in Alaska and around the world will gather in their local parishes to celebrate the traditional Christmas Midnight Mass. At Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral, Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz will celebrate the Midnight Mass beginning at midnight, and it will be broadcast live on KTUU Channel 2.
Airplane trips are never dull for a collared priest
I travel a lot for my mission in Magadan, Russia, always wearing my religious habit or a clerical cassock to identify me as a priest. Exceptional encounters and conversations arise that would not otherwise happen if people didn’t know I was a priest. I jokingly say that I witness many conversions on plane trips as I walk down the aisle looking for my seat. I can see the fear in the eyes of many who are quietly praying, “Please God, don’t let that religious fanatic sit next to me.”