At Holy Name parish in Ketchikan, Catholics aboard the numerous cruise ships touring the Inside Passage can disembark and be shuttled for free to attend Mass. Parishes in Juneau and Haines have offered similar services in the past. This ministry in Ketchikan has brought thousands to Mass over the past 20 years, supported by the…
Christ prayed that his followers “be one, as You, Father, are in me and I in you.” However, the Church’s unity has become progressively obscured by the proliferation of churches that are not in communion with each other, starting with the Oriental Orthodox schism and the East-West schism in 1054. These breaks further accelerated with…
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) consecrated the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 11 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando, Florida, for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The feast was first established in…
Three Yup’ik children honored their faith and their culture when they received their First Communion at St. Anthony parish in Anchorage on May 16. Each first communicant wore a special kuspuk, a hooded overshirt traditional in many parts of Alaska. Celia Haskins, 9, wore a pink kuspuk. Dionna Weaver, 9, wore a white kuspuk, and…
During the past two years, Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., and the priests in the archdiocese gathered for synodal listening, discussion, and discernment sessions about the minimum age for parishioners to be eligible to receive the sacrament of Confirmation in the archdiocese. After hearing from some of those entrusted with catechesis and consulting with others, together…
On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the federal right to abortion that permitted the deaths of over 60 million American children since the case was decided in 1973. Though many states have since restricted abortion, Alaska is not one of them. Nevertheless, the end of Roe v. Wade…
This past April, the Co-Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Juneau began renovations. It is hoped this project will be completed by Easter 2027. Built in 1910 by Fr. Edward Brown, S.J., third pastor of the parish, which began in 1882, the co-cathedral’s church building has weathered many years and served…
August 6 is the date set for the 9th Annual Archbishop’s Golf Tournament for the support of seminarians at Moose Run Golf Course at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. It is an archdiocesan tradition for many reasons, but particularly for the opportunity to support seminarians whlie enjoying an easy day of golf with clergy and fellow parishioners….
Originally printed in the April 2025 issue Bonnie Bezousek, the new executive assistant to Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, carries on an unusual ministry. Away from her office, her favorite calling is to spend one-on-one time with friends and family to be present to their adventures in life. “This is my emphasis right now,” said Bezousek (pronounced bee-SOO-zak)….
Originally printed in the March 2025 issue Each January Catholic schools all over the United States celebrate the richness of Catholic education. Our schools develop the whole person by teaching subject matter, addressing student struggles, and modeling healthy interaction through the lens of faith. This year Catholic Schools Week was January 26 – February 6….