Why do many Catholic women – including Alaskans – use contraception? Area experts say couples aren’t hearing enough at church, from their doctors, or at home about Natural Family Planning (NFP), the natural and ethical way to regulate the birth of children. Lana Persson of Anchorage said she has never heard a homily on NFP. There was no mention of it in her catechism class before she converted to Catholicism as an adult.
To view Holy Week and Easter images from across the Archdiocese of Anchorage, check out the Catholic Anchor Facebook page here.
“I hadn’t ever been to a Catholic Church before,” Glenn Crocker recalls. “I was interested in it and started RCIA, and it spoke to me. I really enjoy the classes. I’ve been going every Tuesday. I never walk away from it regretting that I came. I learn so much. It’s one thing I think you don’t get so much in the Baptist church or other denominations. Yes, you get some, but it’s more localized and less consistent.”
Editor’s note: Much beloved Dave Belanger, the longtime manager of Catholic cemeteries for the Anchorage Archdiocese, passed away on the morning of Good Friday after a long struggle with cancer. Below is a Catholic Anchor article which appeared in 2007 featuring Dave and his wife Priscilla who both spent countless hours burying the dead and caring for those who were left behind.
Here’s a rundown of news briefs and upcoming events from across the Anchorage Archdiocese.
In the wake of the devastating earthquake, Anchorage drew the attention of Rome. A papal representative, had visited Anchorage before the earthquake to bless the city’s first Catholic school. He came back immediately after the earthquake to see the devastation. Observing how large Anchorage was, he recommended it become its own diocese. The proposal then went to Pope Paul VI who created the archdiocese in 1966.
As the Archdiocese of Anchorage recognizes Child Abuse Awareness Month in April, the Archdiocesan Office of Safe Environment invited a guest writer Marg Volz to show the connection between negative childhood experiences and consequences to emotional and physical health. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops encourages all dioceses to focus on this designation to learn how child abuse goes against the basic premise of Catholic teaching on the dignity human persons.
CatholicAnchor.org Most Alaskans have entertained a visitor for a few days, venturing out to hike, fish, camp, canoe and visit places we’ve long neglected. The outsider’s enthusiasm spurs us to take a second look at this great land we call home. In some ways Alaska is a bit like Catholicism — vast, filled with the…
CatholicAnchor.org Sundays, 11 a.m., Mass, AK Native Medical Center Sundays, 4 p.m., Dominican Rite Mass, Holy Family Mondays, 7 p.m., Seekers Group, JPII House, St. Patrick Thursdays, 11 a.m., Native Kateri Circle, St. Anthony April 3, Good Friday Faith Walk (times/locations on page 18) April 4, Easter Vigil Mass April 5, Easter Sunday April 19,…
CatholicAnchor.org April 1, 1:30 p.m., Reconciliation service, Cafeteria in Student Union Building at UAA April 2, 9 a.m., Good Friday Faith Walk Award to student, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School April 2, 7 p.m., Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Holy Family Cathedral April 3, 10:30 a.m., Good Friday Faith Walk, beginning at Pastoral Center April…