Christmas Masses across the Anchorage Archdiocese
The Christmas Midnight Mass and Christmas day Masses for parishes from across the Anchorage Archdiocese are listed below.
Dining with the least of my brothers and sisters
One night when we were building our church in Magadan, Russia, in 2000, I woke up after a terrible nightmare. I had seen the church finished but it was empty and cold. No people. I woke up in sweats and literally fell to my knees and begged God to not let this happen. I wanted a church full of activity and people of all kinds.
Simbang Gabi Masses in Mat-Su & Anchorage prep faithful for Christmas
Simbang Gabi is a series of special liturgies leading up to Christmas. The celebration of the nine-day novena of Masses is a longest-running and popular Catholic Filipino religious tradition. At the Masses, the faithful especially focus on the Blessed Virgin Mary in the preparation for the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ.
National speakers headline upcoming Fairbanks Catholic family conference
In an effort to inspire and challenge Catholic families across Alaska, the Fairbanks Diocese is hosting a Catholic family conference later this winter. The Feb. 9-11 conference is titled, “Families Fully Alive.” The gathering will take place at Monroe Catholic High School with the aim to “engage family members of all ages to help foster Christ-centered families through a weekend-long vacation Bible school for children and nationally renowned speakers for teens and adults.”
Anchorage Archbishop hires new chancellor
Anchorage Archbishop Paul Etienne has hired John Harmon as the new chancellor for the Archdiocese of Anchorage. Harmon brings extensive business, legal and pastoral experience as a former teacher, college president, Fortune 100 corporate attorney and a Catholic high school principal.
Continue to explore ‘The Mystery’
For 18 years I have written letters exploring the Scriptures, month after month, hoping to find some new and astonishing insights. You long-patient readers have doubtless been hoping for the same result. Why then do we continue to explore the Word of God month after month?
Byzantine Catholics to mark 60 years in Alaska with Dec. 10 visit from St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church is celebrating its 60th anniversary on Dec. 10 and welcomes its Latin rite brothers and sisters from across the Anchorage Archdiocese to join in.
EDITORIAL: Advent, penance and the glory of Christmas
Life is short — the years and decades, peopled with children and loved ones, recede into history before we have time to properly savor them . We know this — we feel the occasional pangs of life slipping through our fingers. But just for good measure, the church reminds us again, even as we prepare to celebrate Christmas.
Christmas stories: Reconnecting with family, and making new ones
Christmas is fast approaching — a time to be reminded of all we have and to prepare ourselves for a new birth. It is a time to celebrate with our family and community — to share time, joy, gifts and love. The coming together in joy reminds me of an event held at Brother Francis Shelter in October.
Celebrate Advent with mindfulness
Long before it became today’s fashionable trend, Jesus espoused the importance of “mindfulness.” Pay attention. Life is short. Sometimes it’s particularly hard to be fully mindful during busy December. For Christians, Advent is a time to pause and ponder the incredible truth that we have a God who entered human history in all its messiness.