On this 20th of December, my predecessor, Archbishop Emeritus Roger Schwietz, OMI celebrates his 50th anniversary of ordination as a priest. We had a Mass this evening at Our Lady of Guadalupe to mark the occasion. Bishop Andrew Belissario of Juneau was present, along with a good number of priests, Read more
Archbishop Etienne is pleased to announce the selection of Mr. John Harmon as the new Chancellor for the Archdiocese of Anchorage. John brings with him a vast amount of business, legal and pastoral experience as a former teacher, college president, ‘Fortune 100’ corporate attorney, and a Catholic high school principal. Read more
From my years as a student in Rome, I have had a great love for the Communion of Saints. But, St. Nicholas, whose feast we celebrate today, has been a favorite from my youth. Granted, my early memories are of the excitement going to bed the night before, anticipating what Read more
My own spiritual practice recently is focusing on the reality of God’s faithfulness and the intimate presence of Jesus with me at all times. Attached to this practice is the intention to consciously walk with Jesus (and our Lady) each moment of the day. God’s faithfulness calls us to the Read more
Yesterday, St. Andrew’s Parish in Eagle River celebrated their 50th Anniversary as a parish. Coincidently, their pastor, Archbishop-Emeritus Schwietz is celebrating next month his 50th anniversary as a priest! To say the least, we had a lovely Mass and celebration! The Gospel for Mass, Matthew 4: 18-22 recalled Jesus walking Read more
Today is a national holiday of Thanks-giving. Wherever you are, and whoever you are with, I pray this day will be a blessing to you, and that you will find some time to call to mind the things for which you are thankful. A helpful place to begin with such Read more
Today is the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, a day which Pope Francis dedicated as the World Day of Prayer for the Poor. Our Gospel today comes from St. Matthew (25:14-30) and is the familiar story of the talents. As is often the case, a clue for understanding this passage Read more
Our readings this weekend are about humility and gentleness in the manner in which we live our faith. Even though we do not hear from the Prophet Micah this weekend, his words echo in my heart: To act justly, to love tenderly, to walk humbly with your God. It is Read more
Photos courtesy of Bob Roller, Catholic News Service WASHINGTON—In a November 2 statement, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, Chair of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Read more
During the month of November, our liturgical celebrations draw our attention to the culmination of our earthly pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Heaven. We do well to ponder regularly the source of our life in God, the reason for our being expressed in God’s will, and our destination as eternity Read more