By Joe SehnertDirector, National Shrine of St. Thérèse There are unique places on this earth where one can feel the presence of God. Nestled in the vast 17 million acres of the Tongass National Forest is one of those touch-soul places, the National Shrine of St. Thérèse. Here, Alaska’s patroness continues to call pilgrims to…
By Cathy BollingSt. John by the Sea Parish, Klawock Saint John by the Sea Parish in Klawock serves the Catholic community on Prince of Wales Island, home to about 4,000 residents. Prince of Wales was named a mission in 1925 by Bishop Joseph Crimont. Bishop Michael Kenny appointed full-time ministers in 1983, and in 1992,…
By Carol HeplerOur Lady of the Lake Parish, Big Lake Our Lady of the Lake is in Big Lake, Alaska, north of Wasilla on the Parks Highway. The first church building was built in 1966. Two weeks after it was finished, it burned to the ground. Mass was celebrated at Big Lake Elementary until a…
By Rita FaySt. Andrew Parish, Eagle River St. Andrew is the Catholic parish of the Chugiak-Eagle River area near Anchorage. The church was established in 1963 as a mission of St. Anthony Parish and was designated as a separate parish in 1967. The first church building was known as the “basement church” because parishioners met…
By Father Pat Travers The North Star Catholic Among the special celebrations in which we engage during November as a Church and as a Nation is November 11–Veterans’ Day–the national holiday that honors all the men and women who have served in the armed forces. This day was originally chosen to commemorate the end of…
By Julie DeKreonThe North Star Catholic In this month of gratitude, we recognize that many of our greatest blessings come to us as people who love and accompany us throughout our lives. Stewards of the faith come in all ages and across all ministries, and they inspire us by their example of loving and following…
Dear Fr. Leo:Jesus got one hundred percent of his earthly stuff from his mother…her blood type, her DNA, her good looks, etc. So, when we receive the Eucharist, which IS the body and blood of Jesus, aren’t we also receiving her? – M Dear M:An interesting speculation. The crux of the matter lies in the…
Catholic Community Service has the great honor to perform corporal works of mercy on behalf of the Catholic church in Southeast Alaska (formerly the Diocese of Juneau) with a mission of “serving the most vulnerable individuals and families in Southeast Alaska with dignity, care and compassion.” Last month we shared a bit of an overview…
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “The saints have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult moments in the Church’s history” (CCC 828). Encouraging and inspiring are the lives of the saints. It is also heartening to know that most endured great hardships and adversity in living out their…
It was an April day in 2014, just a few days before Jesuit Father Frans van der Lugt would celebrate his 76th birthday. The gunmen’s knock on the door was abrupt. The beating came first, then two bullets to the head. At least once a year, I like to write something about him. The call…