When a young man begins to feel a draw in his heart toward the priesthood, he may not know where to turn for further help in discerning whether it is God’s will for him to pursue seminary studies and eventually ordination.
With renewed attention on Fatima, Alaskans won’t need to travel far to learn more about the renowned Marian apparitions. The world-famous international Pilgrim Virgin Statue is coming to Anchorage, July 26-30, as part of a two-year U.S. tour for peace. The goal is to bring the graces of Fatima to the American people.
On June 29, Anchorage Archbishop Paul Etienne received a wool vestment — called a pallium — from the hands of Pope Francis at the Vatican. This vestment dates back to at least the fifth century and symbolizes a bishop’s authority as well as his unity with the pope. Shortly before Archbishop Etienne’s departure to Rome the Catholic Anchor asked him about the upcoming trip and its purpose. The following Q&A interview is edited for length and clarity.
A total of 81 golfers comprising 21 teams turned out for the first ever Archbishop’s Golf Tournament to help raise funds to support a growing group of Alaskan men training for the Catholic priesthood. The June 7 tournament in Anchorage netted more than $14,500 to support the Seminarian Endowment Challenge, a fund which helps cover expenses of Alaskans pursuing the priesthood for the archdiocese.
“That’s going to make the word of God credible to others,” Anchorage Archbishop Paul Etienne told the Alaska teens, “when they see in us that it really is possible to live for God — in all of its truth, in all of its brilliance, in all its beauty. If and when we do that, we will bring the doubting world to belief.”
Struggling in a culture they see as increasingly hostile to Catholic faith, Alaska teens said the June 5-8 Alaska Catholic Youth Conference (ACYC) in Anchorage inspired them to return home with a renewed sense of urgency to pray, participate in the sacraments and live out their faith.
Real life experiences, cultural concerns and the Catholic Church’s loss of young people were all part of a frank discussion at Lumen Christi High School gym in Anchorage. On June 6, four church leaders fielded tough questions from more than 100 teenagers gathered during the Alaska Catholic Youth Conference’s (ACYC) version of the Tonight Show.
Anchorage Archbishop Paul Etienne has announced the following clergy changes for the Anchorage Archdiocese. All changes are effective immediately.
These photos are of Anchorage Archbishop Paul Etienne receiving his pallium from Pope Francis on June 29 at the Vatican.
In the homily today, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, spoke of the importance of ‘confessing faith in Christ’, of persecution and prayer. I have prayed during this week’s pilgrimage that we will all better witness to Christ – confessing him to the world around us by the lives we lead, our values, priorities, virtue and charity.