Changes to Alaska’s tax credits can boost Catholic schools

A change to Alaska’s education tax credit program could have a big impact on the state’s Catholic schools, according to Alaska Catholic Conference executive director Mary Gore. And private schools are poised to get the word out. The program, in existence since 2011, provided tax savings to qualifying individuals and companies who donated to Alaska’s public schools and universities. Now, those same benefits have been extended to the state’s private schools.

Retooled St. Francis awards to honor Alaska’s parish volunteers

The annual event honoring Alaskans who serve the Catholic Church in the spirit of Saint Francis, has received some updates for 2015. For starters, the event is now officially called the St. Francis Stewardship Awards to better reflect the stewardship aspect of the program. The event time has also changed from its traditional date in February to early October, closer to the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi. Additionally, this year’s awards will highlight, specifically, the work of parish volunteers.

Archbishop’s March Calendar

CatholicAnchor.org March 1-14, Sister diocese meeting, Archdiocese of Cotabato, Philippines March 16-19, AK Catholic Conf. of Bishops meeting, Juneau March 26, 9 a.m., Mass, Our Lady of Guadalupe March 26, 7 p.m., Chrism Mass, Our Lady of Guadalupe March 29, 9 a.m., Palm Sunday Mass, Our Lady of Guadalupe — Events in Anchorage unless noted.

Natural Family Planning classes in Anchorage

A series of classes in Natural Family Planning (NFP) begins on March 24 in Anchorage. NFP is an umbrella term for certain methods used to achieve and avoid pregnancies. These methods are based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. No drugs, devices or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy.

Anchorage’s young people are making a real difference

“I believe that children are our future.” Whitney Houston sang it, but I think we all believe it. There are stories in the 24-hour news cycle all the time about young people in our country and in our communities making a negative impact. My experience though, is different. Time and time again, young people in Anchorage have made a positive difference everyday. Here is one account of amazing Anchorage young people.

Where two or three are gathered

I’ve been thinking about community lately, because I realize how important it is to me and to all of us. We can’t get along without some kind of community of friends, and the quality of the community we form says a lot about how healthy we are as human beings and especially as Christians.

Sacred grounding

Out on the plains of North Dakota there once stood a church, a building of severe Gothic style that served my German-Catholic ancestors. It is gone now, demolished! Those who once worshipped there have gone elsewhere. I was deeply saddened when I learned of its passing, because it was on the very grounds of this modest sacred edifice that my faith took first root.

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