The North Star Catholic /

Religious brother was a savvy media point-man for Anchorage Archdiocese

Brother McBride initially came to Alaska in 1979 to work at St. Theresa’s Camp, the summer youth camp on the Kenai Peninsula. But then-Archbishop Francis Hurley tapped him to be the media point man for the event that to this day is still regarded as the largest gathering of people ever in Alaska: Pope John Paul II’s visit to Anchorage in February 1981. Brother McBride was communications director after that, a position he described as mostly “feeding and comforting the press.”

Longtime Alaskan friends cherish 60 years as religious sisters

In 1955, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald’s, the Vietnam War began, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus. And two friends — Loretta Leucke and Joan Oberle — professed their first vows as Sisters of the Most Precious Blood in St. Louis, Missouri. This month, Sisters Leucke, 80, and Oberle, 79, celebrate 60 years of religious life — the last 25 spent in the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska.

Bread that comes from heaven

I have come to believe that bread, in whatever, shape, taste or form you may encounter it, is pure evidence of God’s transcendent care for the people of this hungry planet.

Young Alaskans take service mission to Kodiak Island

More than 30 youth joined seven adults from three parishes in the Archdiocese of Anchorage for a trip to St. Mary Church on Kodiak Island for a week-long service mission trip in June. Adults and youth from Our Lady of the Angels Church in Kenai, St. Patrick Church in Anchorage and St. Andrew Church in Eagle River joined forces with Father Frank Reitter and youth from St. Mary in Kodiak.

Anchorage seminarian to take pivotal step toward priesthood

Seminarian Kevin Klump, who since 2011 has been in formation to become a priest for the Anchorage Archdiocese, will take a pivotal step in his journey this month. On Aug. 2 he will participate in the Mass of Candidacy with Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz at 8:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Anchorage.

The mask has slipped for Planned Parenthood

The videos don’t lie. They are released in both shorter, eight to nine minute clips, as well as in full length, unedited versions. Additionally, the videos are accompanied by full transcripts. Any claims that they are “heavily edited” fall flat in light of this extensive effort for full transparency. So we are left with hard facts and a decision to make. Do we as a nation, as Alaskans, as local towns and communities across our state want our public money to go toward funding a company which commits acts so grisly they are difficult even to speak of?

Archbishop marks 75 years on earth, 25 as a bishop

As thousands of Alaskans began celebrating the birth of the United States, nearly a thousand others packed Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral on July 3 to celebrate Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz’s 75th birthday and the 25th anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination.

Alaskans call on lawmakers to defund Planned Parenthood

An estimated 100 Alaskans gathered in Anchorage on July 28 urging lawmakers to investigate and defund Planned Parenthood in the wake of several undercover videos released in July by the Center for Medical Progress. The videos show Planned Parenthood officials discussing the harvesting and sale of body parts from aborted babies. More than 50 cities across the United States held rallies following the release of the videos.

Community Calendar for August

The following is a sample of some of the community events slated for the month of August in the Archdiocese of Anchorage.

Archbishop’s August Calendar

The following is a list of liturgies and events that Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz plans to celebrate and attend during the month of August.