Educators from all five Catholic schools within the boundaries of the Anchorage Archdiocese attended an Aug. 15 training day focused on promoting faith-filled schools where students are safe from bullying and abuse. The day’s theme was “Called to Promote, Provide and Protect Faith-Filled Environments.”
Teens asked the bishops to be with them, to visit their parishes, classes, youth groups and schools. They asked the bishops to help them learn more deeply about their faith. Another youth asked the bishops to talk to them as adults, to challenge them, even with teachings that are difficult.
Eight seniors graduated from Lumen Christi High School in Anchorage last month. The Catholic Anchor asked the graduates to share their stories and memories, and reflect on the value of Catholic education.
Lumen Christi High School is providing additional opportunities for students and staff to benefit from the spiritual life and beauty of the church.
“Every human person is created in the image and likeness of God,” Anchorage Archbishop Paul Etienne told a gathering of pro-life Alaskans last month. “But we see a lack of respect for the human person in so many ways throughout the world.”
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School in South Anchorage has a simple goal: “To provide an excellent Catholic education in a Christ-like environment.” Every day, teachers and staff work together to integrate faith and education to grow well-formed young disciples.
Born and raised Catholic in Monroe, Michigan, Nathan Krawetzke has an older brother who is married and a younger sister. Thoughts about the priesthood first surfaced for Krawetzke in grade school, and calling persisted throughout his time at St. Mary Catholic Central High School and beyond. “I told no one about it,” he said. “I was afraid of what it would mean.”
“We want to follow the example of the young man in that wisdom of coming to Jesus and asking Jesus the questions we have about this life, trusting that he will give us the answers that we seek,” Archbishop Etienne said. “As we begin a new academic year, particularly in this Catholic school, we realize what the real end goal is — eternal life. Life with God, for eternity.”
Five young religious women traveled from New York to Alaska earlier this summer to share their lives with youth campers at St. Therese’s Camp in Wasilla.
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.