November News & Events
Here is a sampling of news and upcoming events across the Archdiocese of Anchorage for the month of November.
AK governor candidates’ views on key social issues
In an effort to inform Alaskans about candidates and their positions on issues important to Catholic voters, the Catholic Anchor solicited responses to a questionnaire from the four candidates running for Alaska Governor: incumbent Republican candidate Gov. Sean Parnell, non-affiliated candidate Bill Walker, Alaska Constitutional Party candidate J.R. Meyers and Libertarian candidate Carolyn Clift. All candidates responded except for Clift, whose positions could not be ascertained from either her website or her public statements on the issues listed below.
Pope makes public his views of family synod
Dear brothers and sisters, now we still have one year to mature, with true spiritual discernment, the proposed ideas and to find concrete solutions to so many difficulties and innumerable challenges that families must confront; to give answers to the many discouragements that surround and suffocate families.
Anchorage to establish co-cathedral
In an effort to better serve the needs of a growing Catholic population, Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz has decided to establish Our Lady of Guadalupe Church as the co-cathedral for the Anchorage Archdiocese. This will officially occur during a special Mass on Dec. 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Holy Family Cathedral will continue as the “historic cathedral” and should always be considered to be the “primary church of the archdiocese,” Archbishop Schwietz told the Catholic Anchor.
Archbishop: Alaska Native suffering must never be forgotten
The Catholic Church must never forget its “failure to honor” Alaska Natives or the suffering these people endured as many missionaries to Alaska failed to appreciate the depth of native language and culture. This was one aspect of the Oct. 22 homily given by Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz at Holy Family Cathedral during the annual Mass celebrated just before the start of the Alaska Federation of Natives yearly convention.
Colorado doc warns Alaskans of rec. marijuana
Gunderson is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado. She was invited by Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz and Juneau Bishop Edward Burns to speak to the public about the impact of pot use and abuse since its legalization in Colorado last April.
Next Theology & Brew on ‘Music of Devotion’
On Tuesday, Oct. 28, Theology and Brew in Anchorage will host a talk by Colleen Duncan, a Holy Family Cathedral cantor and the music teacher at Holy Rosary Academy. She has a bachelor’s degree in music from Gonzaga University. Duncan’s presentation takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Sea Galley Restaurant. Titled: “Music of Devotion: The Rosary Sonatas of Heinrich Biber,” the talk will look at the role of devotional music in the Catholic journey.
Alaska Catholic men to publicly pray for end of abortion
Catholic Men for Life, a lay apostolate at Anchorage’s Holy Family Cathedral, has invited all local Catholic men to gather on Saturday, Oct. 25, to peacefully pray for an end to abortion. The all-day vigil will begin with a 7 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross Church.
Anchorage faith communities to join in prayer for victims of domestic violence
In an effort to combat the effects of domestic violence in Alaska, the Archdiocese of Anchorage is teaming with several other faith communities around Anchorage for a joint prayer service on Oct. 23 at St. Anthony Church (825 South Klevin Street).
AK bishops warn against legalizing recreational marijuana
The debate in favor of legalization has largely been framed in the language of personal freedom. Our personal freedom exists in the context of the communities to which we belong. As Catholics, we believe we have a responsibility to one another and to the wider community. Personal freedom that is not balanced by sensible regulation for the common good destroys the communities that are the guarantors of our personal freedom.