The North Star Catholic /

Planned Parenthood challenging Alaska law limiting elective abortions

Planned Parenthood is in court this week challenging a state law that prohibits Alaska abortion practitioners from being reimbursed by the state for performing “elective” abortions that are not done to preserve the life or physical health of the mother. With the help of ACLU of Alaska, Planned Parenthood is laying out its case for why the law should be overturned. The case, Planned Parenthood v Davidson, is being argued before Anchorage Superior Court Judge John Suddock. Supporters of the law note that it closes loopholes that have been exploited by abortion practitioners to gain public funding for so-called “elective” abortions.

Archbishop calls Alaska scouts to ‘respond to evil by doing good’

“Thank God for the gift of scouting and for our young people,” Archbishop Schwietz told the assembly. “Let us continue to pray for scouting in our society.” In his homily, Archbishop Schwietz spoke about the problem of evil and how the faithful are called to respond. Addressing the Sunday readings which recalled Job’s immense sufferings, the archbishop noted that Job “does not turn away from God but he turned toward God and asks, ‘Why is this happening?’”

Catholic schools seen to dig deeper, “teach the soul”

Anyone can go to any school and learn where the New England Patriots are from. Anyone can go to school and learn what R-O-U-G-H spells. But Catholic schools are something different. They not only teach the mind and the body, they also teach the soul. It’s important to know that God made you, and that God loves you as you.” With these words Father Frank Reitter’s homily challenged a gathering of more than 400 Catholic school students who traveled from across the Anchorage Archdiocese to attend a Mass that was celebrated as part of the nationwide Catholic Schools’ Week.

Grants cuts threaten CSS homeless outreach

A program that distributes funds to keep homeless and emergency shelters open across Alaska has been cut from Governor Bill Walker’s proposed capital budget. Unless legislators restore the funding, dozens of organizations, including Catholic Social Services in Anchorage will feel the pinch.

Archbishop Schwietz celebrates anniversary with Mass, memories

Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz, who was the seventh bishop of Duluth and now archbishop of Anchorage said it was a “strange feeling to be back here in this pulpit.” “It’s so good to be with you,” he said, as he began his homily for a Feb. 2 Mass celebrating the 25th anniversary of his episcopal ordination at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth, Minn. He was joined by Duluth Bishop Paul Sirba, a small group of area clergy including Father Scott Medlock of Anchorage and several seminarians for the Anchorage Archdiocese.

Legislation aims to free up faith-based health care options in Alaska

Alaska Senate Majority Leader John Coghill (R – North Pole) has introduced a bill exempting religious-based health care sharing ministries (HCSMs) from being regulated as health insurance in Alaska. A distinctive and attractive aspect of HCSMs for many Catholics and non-Catholic Christians alike is that HCSMs are not subject to federal or state contraceptive or abortion mandates.

Alaska bill aims to legalize doctor-prescribed suicide

Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz, who leads 30,000 Catholics across Southcentral Alaska, strongly opposes the bill, saying it is not about granting people a so-called “right to die,” but pushing “doctors to prescribe lethal drugs to kill people.”
“In a state with a suicide rate twice the national average, we are now proposing that it should be legal in some instances,” Archbishop Schwietz told the Catholic Anchor. “What kind of message does this send to our youth? In their young minds, they look at life without the practical experience that comes from age. They may view their situation as equally depressing or as terminal as someone with an illness. They see no way out. ‘If it’s okay for those who have no hope of regaining their health to kill themselves, why can’t I?’”

Sex offender accountability is part of upholding dignity

The goal in implementing the policies of safe environment is to promote the charity, love and strength of Jesus to and from everyone. I am specifically referring to one very sensitive issue. Parishioners and ministers alike ask me about the church’s policies when a parishioner or church minister or volunteer has been convicted of a serious crime, such as a sexual offense against a child or vulnerable person or child pornography. These offenses are clearly against charity and the dignity of the human person. They cause very deep, life long wounds.

Holy Family to replay audio of pope’s address to Alaskans

Pope John Paul visited Anchorage on Feb. 26, 1981, and celebrated Mass on the Delaney Park Strip. To commemorate this event as part of its 100th anniversary celebration year Holy Family Cathedral will play a recording of Saint John Paul II’s homily with a reception of finger foods and drinks provided by the Polish American Club of Alaska. This event will start at 7 p.m. on Feb. 26 in the Holy Family Center. All are welcome. For more information, call the cathedral at 276-3455 or logon to: holyfamilycathedral.org

Free speech is messy

In discussing the horrible Charlie Hebdo magazine massacre, the UK’s Daily Mail said the pope pointed at a friend, threw a pretend punch and said, “If my good friend Dr. Gasparri says a curse word against my mother, he can expect a punch.” My husband’s grandparents were all from Italy, and just recently I heard a fourth generation member of that family respond to the ultimate insult: “You disrespected my mother.” To an Italian, disrespect to a mother is free speech used despicably, so the pope’s point is taken. People who insult things that are sacred to you are likely to incite your ire.