May 16, 2008 - Issue #10
Local News | Opinion/Editorials | Letters to the Editor
Local News
Parents, priests urged to support Catholic schools
Archbishop Schweitz: Catholic schools help youth ‘live out their faith’
The local Catholic high school school is sometimes the best-kept secret in the Anchorage Archdiocese, which is not a good thing, according to area educators.
The need to better promote Catholic education was quickly apparent at an April 30 town hall meeting with Archbishop Roger Schwietz at Providence Alaska Medical Center’s cancer center.
One parent, Letha Schwiesow, said she was pleasantly surprised to discover the archdiocese’s Lumen Christi Jr./Sr. High School — but it was more than a year after she and her husband moved to Alaska from Washington State."Lumen Christi wasn’t even in my consciousness until this year," Schwiesow said. "The message is not getting to parents."
Schwiesow and her husband are ardent Catholic school supporters and once they discovered Lumen Christi, they looked to enroll their daughter. They visited the school and then had their daughter Christine do the same.
The small school size, faith values and strong community sealed the deal, Schwiesow said, so they enrolled their daughter for the coming school year.
The Schwiesow scenario, however, illustrates a challenge for archdiocesan schools.
"Our biggest task is marketing — and the need to get the word out there," said Adrian Dominican Sister Ann Fallon. Sister Fallon is the superintendent of Catholic schools for the archdiocese.
That promotion needs to begin at home, she added.
"You (the parents) are the best marketing tool we can get," Sister Fallon told the town hall attendees. "We would ask you to spread the news of the wonderful gems we have here in the archdiocese."
Besides word of mouth, some suggested getting all parishes to help spread the word as well.
"You don’t hear the priests talking much about the value of Catholic education," said parent Tammy McCormick.
Archbishop Schwietz agreed that parishes must promote Catholic schools.
"We want to continue to establish an ownership of the Catholic schools for all the parishes," he said. "We have to let all the parishes know what our values are and what all of us as a Catholic community are called to do."
Sister Fallon said the easiest way to promote a sense of school ownership is to invite people to visit the four schools in the archdiocese.
"If you haven’t been to one of them, please visit them," she said. "We want you to know that religious life and faith life are the most important priorities for these schools."
In addition to marketing, the meeting also allowed participants to dream big. Many discussed the idea of setting up an endowment, as a way to allow more access for Catholic education.
Archbishop Schwietz mentioned the idea of launching more feeder schools, like creating new elementary schools in Eagle River and on the Kenai Peninsula.
Sister Ann Fallon added that is was also important to create solidarity among existing schools — a task she said her office is working on.
"Next year we will hold our first in-service opportunity for all the teachers, principals and staff," she said.
Electronic communication between schools might also enhance the interconnection of an archdiocesan school system. Archbishop Schwietz said the teleconferenced town hall meeting, with live video and audio transmissions to participants in Kodiak, is a prime example of the kind of technology that can draw schools together.
At the close of the meeting, Archbishop Schwietz reiterated his commitment to Catholic education.
"In schools, young people not only learn the faith, they learn how to live out their faith in a Catholic community," he said.
Mixing faith and politics
Speaker says political action is obligatory for Catholics
Catholics have a moral obligation to mix religion with their politics.
This was one of several themes that Joan Rosenhauer drove home to a gathering of about 60 priests, religious and lay leaders from the Anchorage Archdiocese.
Rosenhauer is associate director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development for the U.S. Bishops’ Conference. Her May 2 talk at Holy Spirit Center in Anchorage aimed to help unpack the U.S. bishops’ recent document, "Faithful Citizenship," which was released in November to prepare Catholics for the upcoming national elections.
Rosenhauer said the core teaching of the document is that, "In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in the political process is a moral obligation."
Rosenhauer noted, however, that many Catholics are wary of mixing faith and politics.
"People are not entirely comfortable connecting the two," she said. "But in our tradition we believe they should be connected."
A full understanding of Catholic social teaching includes both a service component and an aspect that "works for justice," Rosenhauer told the assembly.
"People are more comfortable with service than they are with justice issues," she said. That’s because people view working for justice as mixing faith and politics, whereas service is seen as acts of love and charity, she said.
But Catholics must work for justice, Rosenhauer told the crowd.
She listed abortion and homelessness as two examples where Catholics could be involved in both the service and the social justice sides of the issue.
A service response to abortion might be to provide crisis pregnancy counseling, free diapers, blankets and financial assistance to encourage women to keep their unborn baby. A social justice response might be working to outlaw abortions through legislation.
Likewise a service response to homelessness could be providing emergency shelter, Rosenhauer said, whereas a social justice response would be to support housing programs for the most needy.
Both approaches are necessary, she said.
"Many Catholics don’t know very much about Catholic social teaching," Rosenhauer said. "It is really unfortunate because when it comes to public life, our people don’t have the resources they need."
In the run up to the November elections, church leaders should provide solid instruction regarding the church’s social doctrines. Without that information, Catholics may understand that the church condemns abortion or that she supports fair labor practices but they won’t understand the theological basis for these teachings, which go much deeper than individual issues, Rosenhauer told the assembly.
"Certainly most Catholics know the church opposes abortion but I’m not so sure they understand the church’s teaching on the dignity and sacredness of all human life," she continued.
Without this deeper understanding, Catholics might adopt a narrow view of human rights or of the responsibility to care for people at all stages of life, Rosenhauer added.
The same goes for issues like caring for God’s creation or supporting the poor and vulnerable in society. If Catholics don’t know the fullness of the church’s teaching on these issues, Rosenhauer suggested that people will have a harder time seeing the church’s comprehensive view and how it applies to political action.
Rosenhauer said she sometimes hears people ask whether a Catholic can be a Republican or a Democrat.
The question reveals the fact that politicians and political parties are almost always at odds with some aspect of Catholic teaching, she said.
The last general election offered a case in point, Rosenhauer explained. Many Catholics were torn as to whether they should vote primarily based on a desire to see a peaceful resolution to the Iraq war or whether to vote primarily to protect and defend unborn human life.
Some Catholics felt that they were compromising church teaching no matter how they voted, she said.
"We must help people understand that faithful citizenship does not begin and end at the voting booth," Rosenhauer explained. Even if a candidate is an "imperfect choice" Catholics can vote for them and then work to change their party so that it better reflects the church’s position on social issues.
According to the "Faithful Citizenship," document Catholics should not be single-issue voters.
"A candidate’s position on a single issue is not sufficient to guarantee a voter’s support," the document states. "Yet a candidate’s position on a single issue that involves an intrinsic evil, such as support for legal abortion or the promotion of racism, may legitimately lead a voter to disqualify a candidate from receiving support."
The church’s involvement with politics shouldn’t be construed to mean that clergy ought to push partisan politics onto parishioners, Rosenhauer said.
As individuals, parish leaders can vote and support political parties and candidates. They should not, however, advocate for particular parties or politicians as though that were the church’s position.
"We want to maintain the integrity of what we teach," she said. This is jeopardized when the church attaches itself to a particular party or politician, which may not agree or defend all of the church’s beliefs.
According to Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical "God is Love," the proper role of religious leaders is to "form consciences, not try to make political judgments for the faithful," Rosenhauer said.
Church leaders are called to "share the teaching of the church," she added and to "help people identify what they can do to create a more just society.
To that end, Catholics will take on charities, outreaches and political activities."No one has to do everything," she said. "But everyone can and should do something."
Students thankful for blend of academics and faith
Lumen Christi seniors say school helped faith
The top three seniors at Lumen Christi Jr./Sr. High School say theology and faith play just as big a role in their education as perennial heavy weights like math and science.
This was evident on a recent Tuesday afternoon study hall, where the three academic standouts regularly prepare for weekly church history exams.
Katy Portell paced the hall; Drew Stallman hovered over a textbook and Rory Blucher took a last minute glance at her notes.
Perhaps it goes without saying that all three students also take full advantage of prayer in school, as they sweat the final few minutes before a quiz.
"Mr. Bob treats this course like a college course," Stallman said of his church history class taught by Bob McMorrow. "He hopes it will help prepare us as we move on from high school."
The three students credit the class for helping them grow academically. More importantly, however, they point to how the course inspires discussions about their faith.
"In a public school, you’re one of a thousand — and you don’t bring up politics or religion (in class)," Blucher said.
Lumen Christi is different.
"Here you can talk about faith — which is a good thing," Stallman said. "Faith is the biggest priority in my life."
While all three students appreciated the chance to mix faith and academics, they also come from three distinct religious backgrounds. Blucher is Jewish, Stallman is Orthodox, and Portell is a Catholic.
But all three say Catholic theology classes strengthened their own respective faiths. They also say it helped them better understand each other’s belief systems within the constructs of Catholicism.
"For me personally, it gives you a broader vision of religions," Blucher said. "You see the similarities and you learn how to treat people."
"In church history, learning the timelines has helped me learn about the break-offs of the different religions," Portell added. "You know the differences and the foundations of faith."
Students also learned from one another.
Blucher’s family, for example, shared a Passover meal last year with students and staff members. Stallman wrote a paper from the Orthodox perspective about the schism between the Orthodox and Catholic churches.
"My parents laughed at me for doing that," Stallman recalled sheepishly. "They told me I was going to get an ‘F’ for expressing the Orthodox position."
In fact, Stallman aced the paper.
The students say faith permeates the school – even beyond theology class.
"Faith should be incorporated into all subjects and it is," Stallman said. "We pray in every class, and address how morality affects certain areas."
Religion even permeates math and science classes, Stallman said.
"Math and Science have formulas that are always true," he explained. "God always has certain truths."
Morality and faith extend into other areas of the school as well — like student government, where the three students serve in top leadership positions.
"As leaders of the school we have to use those values we learn," Portell said. "Not just to organize (activities) but to make sure those values are upheld in activities."
Blucher and Portell said they plan to continue Catholic schooling next year at the University of Portland, which is run by Holy Cross Fathers. Stallman plans to attend the University of Alaska next year, before transferring to another college.
All three expressed gratitude that Lumen Christi helped foster their faith.
"My parents always say that the most important thing is to have a relationship with God, and from there everything will go," said Blucher.
Portell agreed."(Faith) helps you get through the day," she said.
Youth conference aims to empower teens’ faith
Teens can expect to see everything from adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to the rhythmic beats of a nationally known Catholic DJ at this year’s Alaska Catholic Youth Conference.
It’s not easy to sum up the annual event in a couple of sentences but long-time coordinator Matthew Beck gave it a whirl.
"We’ve got adoration, Mass, benediction, dance, concerts and praise and worship," he said. "We’ve also got games, and social service projects. It’s the whole gamut but the most important thing is that we come together as a local church to celebrate our faith."
The eighth annual gathering brings together between 150 and 200 high school teens each summer. This year, the conference is set to run June 2-5 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Anchorage. Teens are expected to come from as far away as Nome and Cordova.
In past years, last minute attendees arrived from the state’s most remote villages and costal towns. That’s the heart and soul of ACYC, Beck explained – bringing Catholic teens together from across the vast state to celebrate their faith.
And it’s never too late to sign up, he added.
"Kids should come because we should gather as one large local church of Alaska," he said. "We are called to be witnesses to Alaska together – to be a light to the world together."
The theme of this year’s conference mirrors that of World Youth Day and is taken from Acts 1:8 – "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses."
As in past years, the conference includes daily Mass, service projects, a reconciliation service and Eucharistic adoration.
This year’s conference also features three popular outside presenters plus dozens of local speakers, including Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz, who will answer questions drawn from a hat.
Conference workshops include topics on: how to make a rosary, how to talk to a friend who has had an abortion, the role of sports and exercise in Catholic life and sessions on understanding Catholic womanhood and manhood.
Other breakout sessions address: finding your calling in the church, healthy relationships, communicating with God, understanding divine mercy and learning how to implement Catholic social teaching.
"It’s really an amazing event – kind of life changing," said 18-year-old Holly Kitchen, a two-time conference attendee from Palmer. "It really helped me grow closer to God with all the people there and the atmosphere."
Outside presenters include author and teen counselor Bob Bartlett who focuses on issues of teen spirituality and healthy sexuality.
Brother John Mary Ignatius is another perennial favorite. A member of the Community of St. John from Belgium, the tall monk with a long brown habit is known for his ability to engage teens on topics ranging from athletic competition to discerning God’s calling and vocation for each life.
On Wednesday night, DJ Bill Page will infuse the conference with his popular brand of "Catholic dance."
"You have to see it - it’s unique," Beck said. "He talks about how dancing is an expression of joy in who you are. It isn’t bumping and grinding but its really good music. You’ll really be moving."
The conference ends on Thursday with presentations about the Eucharist, discerning God’s call, and exploring vocations.
In preparing for her third ACYC, Kitchen said growing in her faith and meeting other Catholic teens from Alaska are some of the annual highlights.
"It’s really fun to meet all these people and become good friends," she said. "I’m still in touch with people from all over the state."For more information call Matthew Beck at 745-3229.
Area Catholics backing annual appeal drive
The annual fund drive for the Anchorage Archdiocese is doing better than expected at the halfway point of the three-month campaign.
Typically, the "Annual Appeal" accounts for roughly 18 percent of the archdiocese total operating budget each year.
Last year, the appeal raised $800,000. This year’s goal is $872,000.
"We’re about $100,000 ahead of where we were at this time last year," said Jim Caldarola, head of the archdiocese Office of Stewardship and Development.
At the halfway point of the appeal, participation rates are also up slightly.
Last year, 20 percent of area Catholics participated in the annual drive. The hope is to increase that percentage in 2008.
"I’m still holding out that we get to 25 percent," Caldarola said. "The first year was 17 percent - last year was 20. My hope is that we can build it to 25."
That’s still slightly lower than the 33 percent participation rate nationally but it shows a steady improvement.
Money raised from the appeal goes to support a wide range of ministries throughout the archdiocese, Caldarola explained.
"The single largest use of the plea is for the office of Evangelization and Worship," he said. "The second largest use is for rural ministries."
Those two areas account for almost 40 percent of how appeal funds are spent.
Other uses include 11.5 percent to support Catholic schools. This includes funding for the superintendent of Catholic schools along with a staff person to help secure funding and grants for the archdiocese’s four schools. That money also pays for school summits, in-service training for teachers and training for school board members.
Another 11 percent of appeal funds go to support ethnic and minority outreach. Among other ministries supported by the appeal are Catholic Social Services, vocations and formation, continuing education for priests, youth ministry and Holy Spirit Center.
Individual parishes also see a substantial portion of the funds.
For example, once parishes reach their annual appeal goals for the archdiocese, they often set parish goals as well, which go above and beyond their archdiocese obligations.
Parish portions accounted for $123,000 last year, with much of that money going toward building projects that included everything from stained glass windows to roof repairs and building upgrades.The 2008 appeal concludes in mid-June.
Dominicans depart to continue studies
Dominican Father John Mellein will depart the Anchorage Archdiocese in late June to pursue doctoral level studies in philosophy or theology. Father Mellein told the Anchor he will likely end up teaching at the Western Dominican Province’s School of Philosophy and Theology in Oakland, California to seminarians and others.
"We actually welcome any lay person interested in furthering their study," he said, adding that those interested in learning more about the school can log on to their Web site at www.dspt.edu.
Father Mellein came to the Archdiocese last fall, shortly after being ordained to the priesthood.
Also on the move, Dominican Brother Mark Francis Manzano will officially end his term on staff at Holy Family Cathedral at the end of the month.
He will still be around during the summer, completing his Clinical Pastoral Education at Providence Hospital. The CPE is part of a seminarian’s formation program, in which they learn how serve as a chaplain at a hospital. Once Brother Manzano completes the summer program, he will head back to the Western Dominican Province School of Philosophy and Theology in Oakland to continue studying for the priesthood.Both men say they’ve enjoyed serving in Alaska and meeting parishioners throughout the archdiocese, especially those at the Cathedral.
Santa Cruzan Celebration
The Filipino community has invited Catholics from around the Anchorage Archdiocese to celebrate Santa Cruzan this year on June 7. The celebration commemorates the tradition of Saint Helena’s discovery of the true cross and also includes tributes to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The celebration will have a procession with the sagalas (princesses) and a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It’s an important holiday to Filipinos, Father Luz Flores told the Anchor.
"It’s a chance to honor Mary and to commemorate the cross," he said. "It’s also a way to celebrate the end of catechism classes for those who celebrated sacraments like first communion and confirmation."Father Luz said organizers hope all parishes participate and send a princess from their parish. The procession is set to begin at noon on June 7, just outside the ConocoPhillips Building. It will end at Holy Family Cathedral with a special Mass at 1 p.m. with Archbishop Roger Schwietz.
Sexual morality talk on tap
Dr. Janet Smith, a moral theologian, Vatican consultant and college professor is the next speaker for the Anchorage Archdiocese’s Theology on Tap program for young adults. Smith will speak about sexual morality and ethics from the church’s perspective. She will also address Catholic teaching on contraception.
Dr. Smith’s book, "Contraception, why not?" has distributed over a million copies.
She will give three talks in Alaska. On May 16, she presents at Land’s End Resort, in Homer (contact 399-3252). On Monday, May 19, she speaks at the Snow Goose Restaurant in Anchorage (contact 250-6910). On Tuesday May 20, she speaks at the Hacienda Restaurant in Wasilla (contact 745-3498). All events start at 7 p.m.Theology on Tap is a speaker and conversation series for people in their twenties and thirties (but all ages are welcome) to learn more about the Christian faith, to make connections between their faith and everyday life and to enter into conversations with their peers.
Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
Religious Profile
Editor’s note: This is the eighth in a series that highlights religious orders in the Archdiocese of Anchorage.
The Sisters of Perpetual Adoration is a cloistered religious order dedicated to the apostolate of perpetual adoration of the Eucharist, an apostolate for the benefit of all God’s creation.
Five sisters currently live in the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament: Mother Maria de las Victorias. Sister Maria Josefina, Sister Maria de la Milagrosa, Sister Maria del Corazon Immaculado Villalvazo, and Sister Maria Margarita.
On May 3, 2008, the Monastery celebrated a special Mass at the Blessed Sacrament Monastery in Anchorage to honor the beatification of Mother Mary Magdalene of the Incarnation, the foundress of the Order of Perpetual Adoration.
Venerable Mary Magdalene of the Incarnation founded the order more than 200 years ago in Italy after receiving a special call from Christ to form a community devoted to perpetual adoration of the Eucharist. Pope Pius VII gave his blessing of the founding of the order in 1807. In September of 1903 another Monastery opened in Guadalajara, Mexico. Today roughly fifty monasteries still exist across Mexico and the western U.S.
Archbishop Emeritus Francis Hurley invited the order to Alaska more than 20 years ago. Seven sisters came to the monastery from Mexico. Two of the original seven moved back to Mexico, and two more sisters passed away in recent years.
On May 19, the Monastery is set to welcome two new Sisters of Perpetual Adoration: Sister Maria Elena Abad Espinosa and Sister Maria Micaela Valerio Lopez. They come to Alaska from the Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Veracruz, Mexico. The sisters volunteered to come serve at the Monastery in Anchorage.
Women 18 years and older who are attracted by a life of Eucharistic Adoration and service may visit the convent for a day to experience, first hand, the life of the perpetual adorer. For more info call 344-3330 or visit the monastery’s Web site at www.monestaryoftheblessedsacrament.com.
The chapel is open daily to the public from 7 a.m. — 9 p.m. Mass is celebrated daily at 8 a.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, Mass is celebrated at 7:15 a.m. The Monastery is located off of Lake Otis Parkway at 2645 E. 72nd Avenue in Anchorage, near Holy Cross Church.
News & Notes
Koinonia coming to Anchorage
The first Koinonia weekend in Anchorage will take place at the Holy Spirit Center Oct. 3-5. Koinonia is a Greek word from Scripture, which means community. The weekend has a set program, which focuses on the Paschal Mystery: the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The weekend format consists not only of short talks presented by religious, priests, deacons and lay people, but also of liturgical celebrations and other activities which foster renewal and give participants an experience of what it means to be church. The shared discussions can contribute to a personal encounter with Jesus and a greater love for his church. Participants often come away with life-long friendships and a sense of belonging.
Bishop Victor Balke, now Bishop of Crookston, MN was the first spiritual director of Koinonia given in 1976 in Springfield, Illinois. Since then there have been 46,000 Koinonia participants in 28 states, Canada and the Bahamas. For more information contact Sister Lorene Griffin, OSU at 248-9881. To register for the weekend contact the Holy Spirit Center at 346-2343.
World Refugee Day
Catholic Social Services’ Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services plan to honor World Refugee Day on June 20. CSS will hold a family-friendly event to remember the millions of refugees who have defied incredible odds, holding onto the hope of rebuilding their lives in a peaceful world.
"Catholic Social Services has the opportunity to join hundreds of cities around the world to honor courageous and resilient refugees for their long and daunting journeys from oppression and persecution to newfound freedom of speech and liberty of life," said Susan Bomalaski, Director of CSS in Anchorage.
Several local refugees will be honored for their achievements since their arrival in Alaska. Representatives from the international community will provide entertainment in the form of music and dance.
The picnic will be held from 4-7 p.m. at the Mountain View Lion’s Community Park (Mt. View Drive & Pine Street, Shaw Pavilion). BBQ and children’s activities are planned. For more information contact Ellen Krsnak at ekrsnak@cssalaska.org.
49th Eucharistic Congress
Catholics from around the world will gather in Quebec City, Canada in June for the 49th Eucharistic Congress. The Congress is a 10-day diocesan pilgrimage that offers an opportunity for prayer, reflection and action with the universal church, centered around the Blessed Sacrament. Catholics from the Anchorage Archdiocese are invited to attend the conference. Currently, a group is forming with the Diocese of Juneau. The cost is estimated to be about $1,200 for airfare and lodging in Quebec City.
For more information and materials about the conference, contact Father Jim Oberle at the Chancery at 297-7778.
ACYC Registration now open
The Alaska Catholic Youth Conference is taking registration for their conference this summer. The conference is scheduled for June 2-5 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Anchorage. Cost is $75 for pre-registration or $85 at the door. For more information, contact Matthew Beck at matthewb@st-mikeparish.org call him at 745-3229
Columns
Local Catholics advance church efforts through lay apostolate
One of my great joys as your Archbishop is meeting and working with the various groups within the archdiocese. So many people are taking their faith seriously and trying to spread the Gospel and care for their brothers and sisters in need. I am encouraged at the diversity of apostolates that exist among the laity here.
For the last two years I have given spiritual advice on a regular basis to the local chapter of Catholics United for the Faith or CUF, as it is often called. The mission of CUF is to support, defend, and advance the efforts of the teaching church. CUF’s founder, H. Lyman Stebbins, responded to the Second Vatican Council’s reminder of the universal call to holiness and the importance of the role of the laity in evangelization by establishing this lay association 40 years ago.
It is this call to deepen their faith through prayer and study in order to more effectively engage in the mission of evangelization that attracted some Anchorage Catholics to establish a local chapter — the St. Catherine of Siena CUF Chapter. I was happy to see this interest. The laity enjoys a central role in the church’s mission of evangelization. In fact, without their witness, many would never come to hear of the Gospel.
In monthly meetings, the chapter carries out the above-stated mission of CUF through prayer, study, fellowship, and apostolic activity. A beautiful moment in the course of each meeting comes when the members pray the official CUF prayer in which they remind themselves to direct their zeal first to the renewal of their own hearts; only then can God use them to be a source of renewal for the church and the world. This is something that we often overlook in our lives — how our good works flow from personal sanctification.
I am pleased with their choice of St. Catherine of Siena as patroness because this indicates a desire to emulate a lay saint who typifies this personal renewal as gift to the church and the world. St. Catherine lived in tumultuous times and spent many years in spiritual formation that enabled her to offer her gifts in service to the church’s mission.
This year the St. Catherine of Siena CUF Chapter sponsored a speaker series which involved many of our local priests. The topics reflected the four ways in which the mission of the local chapter is carried out: prayer, study, fellowship, and apostolic activity. The second half of the series incorporated a eucharistic theme in order to complement the upcoming Eucharistic Congress in Quebec.
The chapter and I would like to thank all those priests who generously gave these talks. We would also like to thank Father Steve Moore of St. Benedict’s Parish, and Father Tom Lilly of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Parish for graciously providing a location for the meetings. Members tell me that they were especially gratified to have several priests frequent the meetings as participants. The meetings are open to everyone, not just the laity or members of CUF.
Since all ages are encouraged to attend, CUF events are a wonderful way for a family to come together to learn and discuss different elements of our faith. In the coming year I will continue working with the leadership of CUF to develop timely and informative meeting topics with a aim to encourage personal sanctification and evangelization.
My prayer is that CUF continues to grow and add its own particular charism to the wonderful family of faith that makes up our archdiocese. You can learn more about upcoming meetings from your church bulletin or from flyers posted at the parishes prior to each meeting.
The writer is the Archbishop of Anchorage.
‘Coming into the Country’
It has been my sense during my days in Alaska that folks who come here never truly leave. They may leave the land but the land never quite disappears from their consciousness.
John McPhee’s classic biography, "Coming Into the Country," comes to mind in this regard. At someone’s suggestion, I decided to read that book shortly before coming into the country myself in 1993. It gave me an understanding and love for the Alaska environment — a love I carry with me even today, even though I have come out of the country during the past month.
There is just something very special about the wildness of this land, its unspoiled character that makes you want to stay here forever. Of course we can do that if we allow our imagination to reflect on it even though we may be geographically many miles distant.
Perhaps the one characteristic of the land that makes us come back, again and again, physically or mentally, is that it gives us room simply to be astonished, to be amazed, to stand open and silent before whatever it is that we see, hear and smell. We are invited simply to soak it in…no words needed.
I imagine all this would be possible wherever one might live.
I happen to live at Notre Dame, Indiana at this moment, a piece of land with its own history and beauty. But it’s not Alaska: It’s a bit too crowded with buildings and people. It’s sort of "used up" already, if you will, not enough room for natural contemplation. (I hope no one at Notre Dame reads this!)
Of course, Alaska, as we all know, is not just land and water, glacier and rock, animals and birds. It’s also people who do ordinary things in ordinary ways: They rise from sleep, drink coffee and go on their way but always providing enough time to contemplate, to "hear" the silence wherever it may appear.
Therefore, I should like to boldly say that, at least for me, there has been a little more room for God in my life during these 15 years in the Country, not just because of the land of Alaska but because of the people I have met who came into the land for the same reasons I did.
I have long been of the conviction that our surroundings make us who we are, people of earth. We live and breathe those surroundings and become the better for it. For that reason, it has been such a great privilege for me to come into the land and serve such good folks in little towns and churches: Talkeetna, Trapper Creek, Willow, Glennallen, Dutch Harbor, Kenai, Ninilchik, Homer, Valdez, Cordova, Sand Point, King Salmon-Naknek, Big Lake, Dillingham and lots of others as well.
If mine has been a sacramental ministry to them, I know I have been immeasurably enriched by the human graces of each of them as well.
Of course, my compatriots at 225 Cordova St. have also been a great blessing for me: Archbishop Francis Hurley, Archbishop Roger Schwietz and the gang who work at the pastoral center to serve the Catholic community of the Archdiocese of Anchorage.
With all that, therefore, I should like to say "so long for a while," as I gain strength of mind and body at Our Lady’s University community. Given the extra time I enjoy here, I will try to offer a column to the Anchor occasionally. There are still many experiences in the Sunday Scriptures that lend themselves to contemplation and reflection and it is a blessing to share those with all of you.
Georges Bernanos, the French novelist, once wrote a lovely book entitled "Diary of a Country Priest." In the last chapter he describes a young priest who is dying of pneumonia. His friend, once a priest himself, now a layman, comes to visit him. He says to his dying friend: "I only wish I could bring with me the healing consolation of God, the holy oils of the sick. Alas, I cannot." His dying friend says. "Does it truly matter? Everything is grace, everything is grace."
I truly believe that to be true, everything is grace, even or especially Coming Into the Country
Until next time…
Father Clem
The writer recently moved to Notre Dame, Indiana after serving the Anchorage Archdiocese for 15 years. He can be reached at clementich@hotmail.com
Electoral process is broken
"What was Robin Hood famous for?" the teacher asks the fifth-graders.
"Robbing the poor and giving to the rich," Travis says.
The teacher smiles. "I’m afraid you have that backwards, kiddo."
"I’m talking," Travis responds, "about after he was elected."
That cartoon shows why and how our electoral process is broken. Local elections and maybe some state elections, especially in rural areas, may still be democratic. But in our national elections, we don’t have government of the people, by the people and for the people. We have government of, by, and for special interests, specifically the special interests that spend megabucks on electing politicians to do their bidding. Consider the "favors" offered to each member of Alaska’s Congressional Delegation.
The Anchorage politician who complained he was jailed simply for being a legislator has a point. Special interest legislation, sole source contracts and other sweetheart deals may not meet the legal test for bribery. But giving money to politicians’ political campaigns brings the same results as giving money to the politicians themselves. Rich people and corporations wouldn’t spend big bucks on politicians if they didn’t get something in return for their investments.
Catholic media and individual voters need to focus not only on individual issues like abortion, capital punishment, and same sex marriage, but also the inherently evil ways we elect presidents and members of Congress.
The government takes your money in taxes but, instead of serving you, it serves those who give the most money to the politicians. Many corporations move their headquarters to the overseas to avoid paying taxes on the megabucks they get from government contracts. Parade Magazine reports 61 percent of American corporations pay no taxes. Your taxes subsidize them by subsidizing violations of the Seventh Commandment. The federal government uses the money you earn for immoral purposes.
Some government agencies created to police industries call them "clients." That’s like cops calling robbers "clients." Some companies have actually written the legislation supposed to police them.
One local physician’s assistant calls our health care system a "wealth care system" for insurance and drug companies. It’s the most expensive in the world; yet Americans are among the unhealthiest and most uninsured. Most Americans favor health care systems like those in Canada and European countries. But the government obeys insurance and drug companies, not you, because you can’t afford to match the handouts they give the politicians.
This is not a political issue, but a moral one. The government should serve those who pay taxes, not those who pay politicians. In my experience some Catholics become indignant about welfare payments to those who need them the most but don’t utter a peep about welfare payments to those who need them the least.Jesus warns that simply being rich jeopardizes people’s eternal salvation. How does he regard using the government to give them handouts?
I would like to invite you all to conjure up from memory an exciting trip that you have taken. Contemplate your feelings towards your trip and destination and ponder the preparations that you underwent before your travels.
Our journey to Heaven is like planning, packing and traveling to a glorious holiday destination. It requires time and careful planning.
As infants at Baptism, our parents and godparents worked in conjunction with the Holy Spirit, who is our travel agent, in order to help us in the early stages of planning our lifelong journeys. Their duty was to provide guidance, education and example, so that we might love and imitate Jesus in all we do. As we grow older and receive Confirmation, we are strengthened in grace and are ready to work side-by-side with the Holy Spirit in arranging our own travel affairs, such as discovering the work that God intends for each of us and discerning appropriate actions in order to lead holy lives.
The Holy Spirit also helps us to attain our travel tickets, which we received at Baptism, although they were purchased centuries ago by Jesus Christ. A bonus attached to our travel ticket is that it never expires and we redeem it when God our Father calls us home.
With our travel ticket secured, we can turn our attention to the continuous task of packing the essentials for our journey to Heaven.
Because clothes are a necessity, they usually take up a large part of the suitcase. For this trip, however, travel light and pack only the essentials; clothing ourselves with the virtues of faith, hope, and charity and allowing them to become statements of who we are. Any accessories, such as talents, prestige and success, fame and fortune, are God-given gifts and must be packed using prudence and moderation.
The usual grooming items: toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, and shampoo, etc., keep us clean and healthy on the outside. For this trip, purity is a desirable quality to pack, one that shouldn’t be forgotten, as it guards your soul from the uncleanliness of sin. Remember, "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God."
Carry on items should be light and manageable. While traveling it is a requirement to bring a source of identity, such as a driver’s license, ID card or passport. For our spiritual journey, we should also keep close a source of identity, such as a scapular, rosary or crucifix, to confirm our Catholic roots; witnessing to the world our Christian dignity. It is also a wise idea to carry an activity that will keep your mind occupied during your journey. Books are an excellent choice. They are a source of wisdom and knowledge; two gifts of the Holy Spirit, which should be practiced throughout our lives.
The travel ticket is in our possession and the suitcase is packed with the essential items.
It is now time for the final flight.
At the terminal, confirm your travel itinerary and check in all baggage. Remember, before going through security, regulations state: "Please remove all carry-on belongings and place them in the trays provided to be scanned." Join the line of travelers moving toward the pearly-sheened security gate that will scan each traveler for any harmful objects. At this gate, the guard, Pierre, will also check for positive identity and evidence of knowledge, love, and service to God. Pure souls are allowed to gather their carry-ons and proceed down the halls to the boarding gate. However, if Pierre finds any impurities, the traveler will be detained for an undetermined time till purity is obtained.
Full of joy, fellow passengers board and take their seats. A friendly stewardess with the face of an angel walks up and down the aisles, checking to make sure all are safe and comfortable during the journey. The captain’s voice crackles over the intercom: "Thank you for choosing Celestial Airways. Your final destination today is Heaven. We hope you enjoy your flight."
Upon arriving in Heaven, dear friends who passed on before us, marked with the sign of faith, will be there rejoicing in song. In the great hall, we will join them in their jubilation with music and dancing. A banquet will have been prepared, and sitting at the table will be the Holy Trinity, Mary, Our Blessed Mother, the Communion of Saints, and the hosts of Angels.
And we will hear God say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."The writer is a 15-year-old homeschool student who attends St. Andrew Church in Eagle River. This column was adapted from her first place speech in this year’s Gavel Club International Speech Contest at St. Andrew’s.
Editorials
Some secrets need revealing
It’s a bit unsettling to learn that avid supporters of Catholic education can live in Anchorage for a full year and not hear about one of our archdiocesan Catholic schools (See article on page 1). Perhaps that explains why Lumen Christi Jr./Sr. High School is struggling to increase enrollment.
Thousands upon thousands of Catholic children attend Alaska’s public schools. Many of them receive an adequate education and preparation for college. However, their teachers do not show them the myriad ways in which the Catholic faith infuses academic life. They don’t begin class with prayers or attend weekly school-wide Masses.
Catholic schools on the other hand inspire and enrich the lives of children by passing on the depth of Catholic faith and reason in an academic setting.
As members of the Archdiocese of Anchorage, we must do a better job of spreading the news and personal testimony is key. People typically respond better to a personal invite than they do a mass mailing. Both are needed but word of mouth always holds greater sway.
Studies also show that children who attend Catholic schools are more likely to remain in the church as they grow into adulthood. Schools provide a community of like-minded parents, teachers and families who can support each other in the faith. In short, Catholic schools help create a culture of learning that revolves around Christ and his church. This should not be a secret.
-Joel Davidson, Anchor Editor
Youth conference could change your teen
In the same vein, the annual Alaska Catholic Youth Conference is yet another opportunity for Catholic teens to connect to their faith. Organizers for the event are expecting about 150 high school students to show up for this year’s conference. Certainly, 150 energized teens will keep volunteers hopping but in reality there should be many more in attendance.
We worry about the faith of our youth and we fret over the fact that many young adults leave the church after heading to college.
ACYC is a golden opportunity to inspire and introduce teens to the richness of their faith. Often times, these types of events are profound moments for young people. Away from their parents and typical surroundings, kids are immersed in the sacramental and communal life of the church for four intense days of discipleship. And it’s mixed with dances, camp outs, games and healthy interactions with other young Catholics.
These kids also get to see some incredible Catholic leaders, priests, religious and laity living out their faith with intensity.
These opportunities don’t happen often and we ought to take advantage of the chance to strengthen the faith of local teens. In these challenging times, they need all the help available. For more information about how to support or attend ACYC, call Matthew Beck at 745-3229.
— Joel Davidson, Anchor Editor
Letter to the Editor
The opinion piece presented by Father LeRoy Clementich in the May 2 edition of The Catholic Anchor ("Preachers should loosen up, speak from the heart") saddened me. Numerous times throughout the column, Father Clementich used the outdated term "negro." Language is powerful, and the use of language that many find offensive sends a powerful message.
As we attempt to build a church where all are welcome, we need to be aware of subtle and not so subtle ways in which we exclude. Opinion articles in the Anchor should challenge, but they should not exclude. Please take care to ensure that the language in the Anchor promotes a message of inclusion and respect — a message that was given to us by Christ and one we should strive for in our parishes and our diocese.
Anchorage, AK