Ministering to the people of Northern and Western Alaska Diocese of Fairbanks - May 2016 - Volume 21 Number 5 Featured Stories Pope Francis Apostolic Exhortation Clergy Summer Assignments Alaska Catholic Youth Conference Profile of Fr. John Hinsvark Safe Environment Discerment House to Open Young Adults Retreat - Y-K Region Resources Bulletin Resources Diocesan Calendar A Sense of History Rosalie L Ecuyer ~ 1 ~
3-5 5 7 8 8 10 12 13 14 15 15 20-21 22 22-23 26-31 3 4-5 6-7 8-12 Bishop & Diocesan Calendar May Quarterly Reflection for Clergy on the Road System National Day of Prayer Confirmation at St. Nicholas Church, North Pole, AK Mother s Day Confirmation at Our Lady of Sorrows, Delta Junction Catholic Trust of Northern Alaska Meeting Finance Council Meeting Baccalaureate Mass and Monroe High School Graduation Confirmation at St. Raphael Church, Fairbanks Pentecost Sunday Confirmation at Sacred Heart Cathedral Visit to St. Michael Church in McGrath Confirmation at Our Lady of Snows Church, Nulato Visit to St. Peter in Chains Church, Ruby Bishop s Mission Appeal in San Diego, CA June 50th Anniversary of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Fairbanks Visit to Holy Rosary Church, Tok Alaska Catholic Youth Conference, Anchorage Bishop at St. John s Seminary, Guildford, England We are people of God in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks. Blessed with a rich variety of backgrounds and talents, we strive to be a living reflection of the Universal Church. Through our baptism we continue Christ s mission to further the kingdom of God through the human family. We share our living faith by proclaiming the Gospel in word and example. Together we celebrate Christ s presence in worship and sacraments. In a spirit of justice, mercy and love, we dedicate ourselves not only to minister to the people in the urban and rural areas of our Diocese but also to minister to the world community. Diocese of Fairbanks Newsletter Ministering is a monthly publication of the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks which serves northern and western Alaska. Its purpose is to provide a regular opportunity for all ministries throughout the Diocese to share information so that our tremendous diversity may enrich our common mission of service to the people of our diocese. If you have questions or suggestions for articles, please contact David Schienle at the Chancery at (907) 374-9500 or library@cbna.org. Newsletter prepared by David Schienle for Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska. The Diocesan Online Calendar may be viewed at: http://dioceseoffairbanks.org Diocesan Mission Statement Credits Designer & Editor David Schienle Contributing Writers Dr. Kelle Lynch-Baldwin Rev. Robert Fath Sr. Dorothy Giloley, SSJ Robert Hannon Pamela Rengiil Leigh Scarboro Pat Tam Barbara Thieme Tolliver Rev. Ross Tozzi Teresa Usibelli Bp. Chad Zielinski Proofreaders Tim Doval Robert Hannon Deb Leibee Jim Villano Patty Walter ~ 2 ~
Message from Bishop Chad W. Zielinski Lift Up your Eyes My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we approach the end of Easter, it is customary to reflect on the power of the Holy Spirit exhibited in the readings for Pentecost Sunday. The Holy Spirit is probably the most intimate, while at the same time, mysterious person of the Blessed Trinity. It sustains us in ways we only vaguely understand. It is, as St. Augustine says in Confessions, closer to me than I am to myself. Needless to say, it is the essential Actor in our Church, guiding our deliberations and bringing harmony among our disparate factions, or at least it should. We have a role to play in the process. I draw your attention to the readings for Seventh Sunday of Easter, the one approaching this weekend. We hear multiple times about Stephen and our Lord raising their eyes to heaven. I read in these passages the echo resounding throughout all of scripture: it is the recognition of our need and dependence on the Father that opens the way for the Holy Spirit to descend and act in our lives. As Pope Francis never tires of reminding us, God s mercy is eternal. Like the dynamic in the parable, it was up to the prodigal son to recall his inheritance, recognize his degradation and return to his father s open arms. In Acts, we draw inspiration from St. Stephen. Stephen is known in our Catholic tradition as the first martyr. This is how Luke, the author of Acts, depicts Stephen s behavior just before he is killed at the hands of a zealous crowd: Stephen filled with the Holy Spirit looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God Acts 7:55 Notice the passage mentions every person in the Trinity. St. Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit directs his vision to the heavens. There Jesus stands beside his Father. I could spend pages commenting on this vision, but I will simply note Jesus stands beside the Father, much as an advocate does in the court of law. Jesus, having assumed human nature fully, understands us and intercedes on our behalf with the Father. As a result, St. Stephen imitates his Lord, forgiving his executioners. He sets the model for all martyrs, all believers, to follow. This dynamic process of looking to heaven for our strength and the grace to cope with life on the earth is repeated throughout the readings on May 8. In psalm 97 we hear: The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth. From Revelation: I, Jesus, sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright morning star. Rev. 22:16 The theme finds its expression par excellence in Jesus prayer in St. John s Gospel: When Jesus had said this, he raised his eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you. JN 17:1, 2 There it is: The supplication, the surrender, the dynamic process of our Catholic faith. Or, as the Prayer of St. Francis puts, it: God, make me an instrument of your peace. We will see the culmination of this mystical call and response play out with the early apostles in Pentecost. In preparation, let s pray, amidst the challenge and confusion of our times, to remember to lift our eyes and give glory to the Son, who gave glory to the Father, and drew down the power of the Holy Spirit. Most Reverend Chad W. Zielinski Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska Diocese of Fairbanks ~ 3 ~
Announcement from Bishop s Office Bishop Chad Zielinski Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The greatest challenge facing the Diocese of Fairbanks is our priest shortage. We have 16 priests, 6 of which are over the age of 70, to minister the Sacraments of the faithful in our 46 parishes. The good news is your prayers are working and we will have three seminarians this fall. In order to focus our efforts in the area of vocations, effective 13 August 2016, I have appointed Fr. Robert Faith as Director of the Faith and Formation Office which includes vocations. I want to thank Fr. Robert for the seven years that he faithfully served as the Pastor of Saint Nicholas Church. Over the past seven years, Fr. Robert has taken an already vibrant community and made it an integral asset to the diocese. With the departure of Father Robert from Saint Nicholas Church, I would like to announce that effective 13 August 2016, Father Stanislaw Jaszek will be assigned as the Pastor of Saint Nicholas Catholic Church. In addition, Father Stanislaw Jaszek will remain as the Pastor of both Our Lady of Sorrows Church, in Delta Junction, and Holy Rosary Church, in Tok. Given our priest shortage, it is imperative that our priests cover multiple parishes. I have been working hard with other bishops and traveling to spread the word about our priest shortages. Some of my efforts are coming to fruition and I am happy to announce that the Diocese of Lincoln will be sending us Father Thomas Kuffel for a period of three years for pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Fairbanks. Effective 14 June 2016, Father Thomas Kuffel will be assigned as the Pastor of Saint Joseph Church, in Nome, as well as the Pastor of Saint Francis Xavier Church, in Kotzebue, Saint Jude Church, in Little Diomede and Saint Ann Church, in Teller. I also want to thank Father Vince Burns from the bottom of my heart, who volunteered his pastoral care to the Diocese of Fairbanks and has spent the past year in Nome shepherding to the faithful flock in the Northwest! I ask for your continued prayers for vocations in the Diocese of Fairbanks. Yours in Christ, Most Reverend Chad W. Zielinski Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska Diocese of Fairbanks Fr. Robert Fath accepted to Canon Law School Fr. Robert Fath was accepted into canon law school at Catholic University in Washington, DC. He will be attending summer sessions for the next 5 years in pursuit of his J.C.L. degree. Upon earning his degree, Fr. Fath will be able to assist our Diocese with canon law concerns and tribunal matters. ~ 4 ~
Bishop Chad Zielinski Introduction to Pope Francis Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, The Joy of Love My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I am pleased to share with you our Holy Father s Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, The Joy of Love. As you may remember, Pope Francis convened two Synods on the family. This document represents his reflections of those gatherings. Also recall, the Holy Father solicited the insights and experiences of all of the faithful with a questionnaire. In fact, those of other faiths were invited to respond to the questions found in the survey. Pope Francis clearly sought to cast his nets widely in gathering material for his discernment. If you recall, too, our diocese participated in that process and in some small measure, we have played a role in Amoris Laetitia. As with any Apostolic Exhortation, it will take time to unpack the insights and catechetical possibilities that lie within the document. Indeed, Pope Francis says as much when he writes, I do not recommend a rushed reading of the text. Amoris Laetitia, P6 However, I will note the Holy Father draws greatly on the deep and fruitful wisdom of two of his predecessors, St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict. Within the footnotes you will also find references to previous Apostolic Exhortations and Church documents. Thus, the encyclical falls squarely in the hallowed tradition of the Church; by drawing on contemporary insights and experience, the discernments of the Magisterium, and first and foremost on Holy Scripture, Pope Francis reveals his respect for both tradition and the radicality of Christ s message. I will be calling our diocesan ministers and leaders and all the faithful of the diocese to ponder the messages found in Amoris Laetitia. In the coming months, as I meet with clerics, religious and parishioners, I will invite responses to the encyclical, as well as suggestions on putting into practice its wisdom. In fact, this stance of entering into dialogue with the text and then with each other is a hallmark of Pope Francis pastoral style. It is a profound spiritual experience to contemplate our loved ones with the eyes of God and to see Christ in them. This demands a free dom and openness which enable us to appreciate their dignity. We can be fully present to others only by giving fully of ourselves and forgetting all else. Amoris Laetitia, P253 Finally, the Holy Father notes this Apostolic Exhortation complements the direction of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Thus, we receive in its dissemination a welcome text to accompany our spiritual journey into the heart of our Lord s abiding mercy and love. Your Brother in Christ, Most Reverend Chad W. Zielinski Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska Diocese of Fairbanks You will find the text of Amoris Laetitia on the Vatican website www.vatican.va File (English Translation): http://dioceseoffairbanks.org/joomla/images/2016_press_release/apostolic_ Exhortation/INGLESE_TESTO.pdf ~ 5 ~
Frequently Asked Question on Amoris Laetitia, The Joy of Love What is an apostolic exhortation? An apostolic exhortation is a particular kind of papal teaching that communicates the mind of the pope on a certain topic. It is often used to share the conclusions reached by the Holy Father after consideration of the recommendations of a Synod of Bishops. It can also be used as a way for the pope to exhort (encourage) the faithful to a deeper life of Christian discipleship, as, for example, Pope Francis did in his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium... on the proclamation of the Gospel in today s world (Nov. 24, 2013). Where did Amoris Laetitia come from? Amoris Laetitia is the result of Pope Francis prayerful reflection on the discussions and outcomes of two synods of bishops held in Rome: an Extraordinary Synod in 2014, and an Ordinary Synod in 2015, both on the topic of marriage and the family. The exhortation is meant to share with the Church the Holy Father s teaching and encouragement regarding pastoral ministry to families, and what marriages and families are called to at this time in history. What is the Synod of Bishops? The Synod of Bishops is a permanent institution of the Catholic Church. It was established by Pope Paul VI in 1965, shortly after the close of the Second Vatican Council, to continue the spirit of collegiality and communion that was present at the Council. The Synod is an assembly of bishops from around the world who assist the Holy Father by providing counsel on important questions facing the Church in a manner that preserves the Church s teaching and strengthens her internal discipline. (See the Vatican website and the Code of Canon Law, canon 342.) What topics does the apostolic exhortation cover? Amoris Laetitia covers a wide range of topics related to marriage and family life, with a particular emphasis on the family s vocation and mission of love. It speaks about the family s strengths and gifts, and also the contemporary challenges faced by families throughout the world. The exhortation encourages married couples, families, and pastoral ministers to accompany and care for families and others in need of the Lord s mercy and healing. It includes an extended reflection on love and what it means in the day-to-day reality of marriage and family life. What does the title mean? Amoris Laetitia is Latin for The Joy of Love. The opening sentence reads, The Joy of Love experienced by families is also the joy of the Church (no. 1). The exhortation is meant to echo the conviction of the Synod Fathers that the Christian family is good news indeed (no. 1) and to help the Church to draw close to families in all situations. Who should read this apostolic exhortation? This document is for all who care about the future of the family. It is addressed to Bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, Christian married couples and all the lay faithful. In particular, married couples can be reminded of their call and mission through this exhortation, and families can find it an ongoing source of inspiration. ~ 6 ~
Continue... Frequently Asked Question How can the apostolic exhortation be utilized by Catholic leaders? Amoris Laetitia will be a valuable guide for all those engaged in ministry to those discerning and preparing for marriage and to married couples and families at all stages. Catholic leaders would do well to study Amoris Laetitia in its entirety, being attentive to how the Holy Father s insights may enrich and enliven a particular ministry. Pope Francis himself has urged a patient and careful reading of the document, with the hope that, in reading this text, all will feel called to love and cherish family life (no. 7). How has Pope Francis shown a concern for the family in his pontificate? Pope Francis has shown his love for marriages and families in many ways. In the first year of his papacy, he called for two consecutive synodal assemblies on the family. He devoted over a year s worth of weekly audiences to topics related to marriage and the family, and he gave stirring testimony to the beauty of God s plan for the family during the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. He also canonized Pope St. John Paul II, whom he called the pope of the family. What are other key documents from the Church on marriage and the family? As Pope Francis shows in chapter three, Amoris Laetitia follows upon a rich treasury of Church teaching on marriage and the family. This apostolic exhortation is a parallel and complement to the 1981 document Familiaris Consortio ( Regarding the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World ), issued by Pope St. John Paul II after the synod on the family in 1980, which has been a touchstone for marriage and family life ministry since its publication. John Paul II gave the Church another document for families in 1994, entitled Letter to Families, and his catechesis on human love, commonly called the theology of the body, has also deeply enriched the Church s contemplation on marriage and family life today. All of these works are cited at various points in Amoris Laetitia. Other key documents, also cited, include the Second Vatican Council s Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes (On the Church in the Modern World), Bl. Pope Paul VI s Encyclical Letter Humanae Vitae (On Human Life), and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI s encyclical Deus Caritas Est (On Christian Love). Taken from USCCB Website: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/amoris-laetitia.cfm Safe Environment Barbara Thieme Tolliver Child Protection Office/Victim Assistance Coordinator Of course, we all strive to keep our children safe. With the school year quickly coming to a close, we encourage you to investigate the website listed below and show it to your youngsters. The company Kidsmartz shows four short video clips online for children to see and learn about personal safety. They are concise and very well done. Each one is about 2 minutes long, produced for grades 1-5 http://www.kidsmartz.org/videos/telltrustedadult. This training was recommended by the USCCB. Please check it out and bookmark Kidsmartz on your personal computer. Better yet, use this resource for a possible presentation at your church for all parishioners to see after Mass. School teachers might consider using one of these two minute video s each Monday, presenting a different one every week. On another note, background check information will now be submitted to the Safe Environment Office. All employees must receive a background check before being employed in the Fairbanks Diocese. Also, volunteers who work with children need a background check as well. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. For more information about safe environment, please contact Barbara Thieme Tolliver at (907) 374-9516 or by email barb@cbna.org. ~ 7 ~
A Sense of History - Rosalie L Ecuyer By Robert Hannon While many priests are called shepherds, Rosalie L Ecuyer got a firsthand experience of clerical shepherding when Pope St. John Paul II met President Ronald Reagan at the Fairbanks International Airport. It was May 2, 1984, and Rosalie recalls the day as gray and blustery with intermittent rain. Barricades had been assembled to corral the estimated five thousand spectators who had gathered to welcome the pope. President Reagan had arrived in Fairbanks the day before. Rosalie served the diocese as a volunteer in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region and she was in Fairbanks for medical care. She was staying on the diocese s campus at the Yellow Banana - an affectionate name for the building that would later become known as the House of Prayer. Among the others staying at the Yellow Banana was Fr. Chuck Peterson, SJ. Tall and ebullient, Fr. Chuck seemed capable of expanding his already commanding presence to fill any space with good humor. That day, he exercised his bonhomie and stature to edge through the throng for a front-and-center position at the barricade. As he negotiated his way forward, he drew Rosalie behind him, like a boat swept up in the wake of an ocean liner. She says the two of them were in the second or third row of observers when the Holy Father s jet touched down. It wasn t the first time Rosalie had seen the future saint in person. Five years earlier, she was working for the United States Department of Defense in Maryland, when the pope arrived on his first visit to our country, less than a year after he was elected as pope. In fact, Rosalie s quarter-century service as a federal employee, working near Washington, D.C., gave her a good vantage point to observe some key moments in history. I was actually in the Washington, D.C. area when both Kennedys were killed. I was close enough to walk over and see their funeral corteges. I did not go to St. Matthew s Cathedral. I had been a parishioner there for a couple of years. But on those occasions was living in Arlington, Virginia, near Arlington Cemetery, and I just walked to the Memorial Bridge and watched the corteges enter the cemetery. Fr. Chuck Peterson, SJ Is this Rosalie? ~ 8 ~
Rosalie seems to have a keen sense of history, and perhaps it was that sensitivity that led her to be tapped to spearhead the Cathedral s 50th anniversary task force. The observances are scheduled to take place in early June this year. Rosalie does have some training in history; she received her B.A. in the subject from Regis College in the Boston Archdiocese. (She later also received two graduate degrees: a Master s in Government from Georgetown University and a Master s in Professional Writing from the University of Alaska Fairbanks). And she can reel off many of the names of former priests who have served at the cathedral and point out parishioners who have been with the parish for decades. Indeed, Rosalie would like the celebrations to honor the many men and women who have stepped up to make the parish community as much a family as a group of worshipers. The role of the laity, particularly women, has grown so much since I was young. We have Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers, for example, she says. Even the person who brings a cake to a celebration contributes to the parish family. Rosalie was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. She had two older sisters. One served as a lawyer in the Coast Guard, the other was a Navy Nurse. Her family was Catholic, but she attended public schools until Regis College, at the time, an all woman s school, founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston. As the time for graduation approached, she wasn t certain what she wanted to do for work. Then a government recruiter came to the campus and started her off on her 25-year service to the Department of Defense. Then in the late 1970 s Rosalie says she felt the stirrings to volunteer for the Church. That calling, though, was a bit of puzzle, literally. I felt I should serve in a region that started and ended in A, Rosalie says. I thought maybe Appalachia or Arizona. But I knew for certain it wasn t Alaska! That certainty began to dissolve when she watched a slide presentation by Fr. Gerald Ornowski, M.I,C., who described his work on Little Diomede Island and Bethel. Rosalie wrote to then Bishop Whelan, S.J. He replied encouraging her, but saying if she was serious, she would first have to become a Jesuit Volunteer. She had already enrolled in a two-year program in lay ministry with the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. So she became a Jesuit Volunteer. Rosalie arrived in Bethel in mid-august, 1980. She says the Holy Spirit validated her choice in ministry when she saw Fr. Gerald Ornowski approach her on the tarmac with a big grin on his face. That day she also briefly met Fr. ~ 9 ~ Pope John Paul II addresses the crowd at Fairbanks International Airport. Newly ordained Bishop Michael Kaniecki, SJ stands next to the pope. Let us know if you think that is Rosalie in the crowd at library@ cbna.org.
John Hinsvark, who was heading out the next day for a sabbatical. Perhaps another sign the Holy Spirit continues to work in Rosalie s life can be found in the fact that even as Sacred Heart Cathedral celebrates its dedication s 50th anniversary, it is also observing Fr. John Hinsvark s 50th anniversary as a Fairbanks diocesan priest. [See the article on him in this issue.] Rosalie eventually served some eight years in the Y-K, most of them in Bethel, but also in Mountain Village, and a year in St. Marys, helping the diocese prepare the former boarding school for a transition to village ownership. She arrived in Fairbanks in 1988. And since that time has been an active member of Sacred Heart Cathedral. Fr. Ross Tozzi, the current Rector of the Cathedral, says of Rosalie, She has a keen eye for detail and a passion for making our history come alive. While Rosalie s committee continues to assemble the final details for the 50th anniversary, the outline is clear: The Cathedral s youth will bury a time capsule Wednesday, June 1. The evening will also see a fire-pit hotdog barbecue with live music. On Thursday, June 2 a luncheon is planned to honor and thank long-time parishioners. It will also celebrate Fr. John Hinsvark s fifty years as a priest. On Friday June 3, an anniversary Mass of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus will be celebrated by Bishop Zielinski, with other priests joining as concelebrants. A potluck will follow the Mass, finishing up the three-day observances. For more information about Sacred Heart Cathedral s anniversary celebrations call the cathedral at (907) 474-9032. You can email Rosalie at rosalieelaine55@gmail.com. The walls going up on Sacred Heart Cathedral A former army barracks, Jesuit Volunteers would call the building the yellow banana. This building later became the House of Prayer ~ 10 ~
50th Anniversary as a Priest ~ 11 ~
Rev. John Hinsvark by Robert Hannon As Sacred Heart Cathedral observes its 50th anniversary, it will also mark the 50th anniversary of Fr. John Hinsvark s ordination as a priest. Fr. John is the second priest to be ordained to the diocese. As a volunteer he helped build the cathedral. The following is drawn from his entry in Alaskana Catholica by Fr. Louis L. Renner, S.J. John Arthur Hinsvark was born on May 20, 1940, in the town of Gary, South Dakota. When he was four years old, the family moved to Alameda, California. Starting in second grade, he attended Catholic schools. In the fall of 1962, he began his theological studies at Mount Angel Seminary, St. Benedict, Oregon. During his second year of theology, John discerned his call to serve in northern Alaska. In April 1965, John was accepted as a candidate for the Diocese of Fairbanks by Francis D. Gleeson, S.J., Bishop of Fairbanks at the time. That summer he worked on the construction of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Fairbanks. On August 14, 1965, in Bethel, John received the Tonsure and Minor Orders at the hands of Bishop Gleeson. The following day, on the Feast of the Assumption, at St. Mary s Mission, Andreafsky, he was ordained to the sub-diaconate by Bishop Gleeson. On April 22, 1966, John was ordained a priest, likewise by Bishop Gleeson, in St. Mary s parish church, in Mount Angel, Oregon. Two months after his ordination to the priesthood, on June 28th, he arrived in Fairbanks. During a meeting there with Bishop Gleeson, Father Hinsvark learned that his deepest desire, that he be assigned to the bush, would be met immediately. Father Hinsvark was the first diocesan priest to serve among the Central Yup ik Eskimos of the Yukon- Kuskokwim Delta: from 1966, to 1990, the following are highlights: In 1967, Father Hinsvark invited three of his Chefornak parishioners to translate the Mass into their vernacular, the Central Yup ik Eskimo language. On April 28, 1970, he began his 24-year ministry as a chaplain in the Alaska Army National Guard. In 1994, having attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and having served for seven years as the State Area Command Chaplain, Father Hinsvark retired from the Alaska Army National Guard. In 1977, Father Hinsvark earned his pilot s license. The year 1980-81 was for Father Hinsvark a sabbatical year, during which he attended a three-month Continuing Theological Up-Date in Rome and Israel. From August 1981 to August 1990, Father Hinsvark was pastor of Little Flower of Jesus parish in Hooper Bay and of Blessed Sacrament parish in Scammon Bay. In March 1993, Father Hinsvark was appointed Vocation Director for the Diocese of Fairbanks. In August 1994, he was appointed pastor of St. Joseph s parish in Nome. As such, beginning in July 1995, he was responsible also for its dependent missions of Teller and Little Diomede. In July 2002, he became the sole priest on the Seward Peninsula, responsible now also for St. Francis Xavier parish in Kotzebue. In 2005, Fr. John Hinsvark became the first diocesan priest in the Fairbanks diocese to retire. He continues to offer his services when he visits the diocese. ~ 12 ~
Alaska Catholic Youth Conference Dr. Kelle Lynch-Baldwin Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry The Alaska Catholic Youth Conference will be held June 6-9 in Anchorage ACYC registration is open. If you register before May 1, there is a $25 discount. You are strongly encouraged to register through your parish because it is a two-step process, online and hard copy. Online registration only is incomplete. Do it all at once with your parish youth minister. Those in grades 7&8 will have a modified experience separate from the high school attendees except for Mass. Junior High attendees must have their own chaperones and lodging in non-acyc venues, separate from the high school attendees. For the High School folks and their chaperones, lodging is available at the Holy Spirit Center at discounted rates. Parish leaders should contact the Center directly for reservations. This year we will have a Spanish language track for Latino high school attendees. We will also have Pedro Rubalcava, Sr. Kathy Radich, OSF, Fr. Mark McGregor, SJ and Bp. Frank Caggiano as our keynote speakers. The Community of St. John and Nashville Dominicans will provide a ministry of prayer and presence. Of course there will also be multiple workshops and activities on our theme: Boundless Mercy! Urban Deacons Rev. Ross Tozzi Vicar General The Urban Deacons in the Fairbanks area gather once a month for ongoing formation under the direction of Rev. Ross Tozzi who serves as the Vicar General/Vicar for Clergy. Newly Ordained Deacons Chuck Bowman, Ron Jones and Stan Gwizdak gather with Deacons Paul Perreault, Bob Barnard, George Bowder, Sean Stack and Bob Mantei. The active Urban Deacons are involved in parish ministry as well as providing liturgies at The Denali Center, the Pioneer Home, the Fairbanks Correctional Center and for churches along the Parks Highway and the Richardson Highway. Catholic Library ~ 13 ~ Courageous - DVD Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, they are confident and focused, standing up to the worst the streets can offer. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge they re ill prepared to tackle: fatherhood. When tragedy strikes home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Sherwood Pictures, creators of Fireproof, returns with this heartfelt, action-packed story. Protecting the streets is second nature to these law enforcement officers, not so raising their children in a God-honoring way?
Frassati House to Open in August Rev. Robert Fath Vocation Director Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati On the weekend of April 23, the local Knights of Columbus councils in Fairbanks began remodeling on the house formally known as the Peger Road House. Over the years, this six bedroom house has served as a convent, the Jesuit residence and a parish rectory. Now, it is being remodeled as a house of discernment for young men considering a call to the priesthood or religious life. Named for Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young Italian man who died at the age of 24, it will provide a prayerful community atmosphere for men who desire a place to focus their efforts to respond to the Holy Spirit s prompting in their life. Men living in the Frassati House will be expected to be enrolled at UAF and/or working at least part-time. There will be daily common prayer, spiritual direction, and formation nights. Ideally, we will have 3-4 men, plus a priest, working together to follow God s call. Please pray for the success of the Frassati House and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, religious life and the permanent diaconate. On Saturday, April 9, Marie Cleaver was installed during Mass, as a Eucharistic Minister at Saint Peter in Chains parish, in Ruby. Since the parish only has Mass once a month when Father Joseph Hemmer, O.F.M., comes, the parish relies on the Eucharist Ministers to lead the Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest for the other three weeks. Florence Esmailka and Katie Kangas are the other two Eucharistic Ministers who have been presiding at the Sunday services when Fr. Joe is not there. They are overjoyed Marie can now assist them in this essential ministry. Fr. Joe and all the parishioners are grateful that Marie has responded to God s call. Her family was there to witness her commitment and support her. Marie began her ministry immediately. She was the Eucharistic Minister at that Mass and then for First Communion on Sunday. ~ 14 ~ Frassati House New Eucharistic Minister in St. Peter s in Ruby Sr. Dorothy Giloley, SSJ Director of Religious Education
On April 10th, four children received their First Communion at Saint Peter in Chains, in Ruby. On April 24th, four children received their First Communion at Saint Teresa, in Kaltag. The parents of the children had been preparing them for several months. Sister Dorothy arrived a few days earlier to assist Father Joseph Hemmer to prepare the children to receive their First Reconciliation on Saturday and their First Communion on Sunday. On Saturday, the children and their parents also made banners to hang on their pew for First Communion. First Communion in Ruby and Kaltag Sr. Dorothy Giloley, SSJ Director of Religious Education Sr. Dorothy Giloley, S.S.J., and Fr. Joseph Hemmer, O.F.M., with First Communicants at Saint Teresas Church, in Kaltag. It was a wonderful experience to see the joy on the faces of the children and their families. The people of both parishes were also joyful and thankful to celebrate this special occasion with the children and their families. All gathered afterwards for food and fellowship. Sr. Dorothy Giloley, S.S.J., and Fr. Joseph Hemmer, O.F.M., with First Communicants at St. Peter in Chains Church. ~ 15 ~
Young Adults Retreat in the Y-K Region Pat Tam Director of Adult Faith Program On April 22-24, 2016, twenty-two young adults ages 19-36 gathered for a special retreat in Bethel. This gathering arose out of a perfect storm when three things converged: a connection with Christus Ministries, a young adults ministry based in the Jesuit California Province, a generous grant for the Y-K region from the ACTA Foundations (due to the work of Kelle Lynch-Baldwin), and the availability of the new Moravian seminary in Bethel. A couple of years ago, a Jesuit novice, Eric Nguyen, was sent to visit a few Y-K villages as part of his formation. When he returned to California, he started a conversation about how Christus Ministries might be of help to our region. Christus Ministries, founded by Fr. Tri Dinh, SJ, has a vision of bridging young adults and the church. Their website christusministries.org says they seek to empower young adults and parishes to grow spiritually, change lives and transform communities. So using ACTA funds, the Adult Faith Formation Program for the Y-K Region organized the retreat in Bethel. Fr. Tri and an assistant, Martin Ngo, SJ, came to lead the retreat. Around the same time, we began to look into the possible use of the new Moravian seminary in Bethel. The site turned out to be ideal, with plenty of space for gathering and rooms for housing the whole group. The weekend retreat, entitled Open Wide the Doors of Mercy, drew twenty-two young adults from nine villages: Emmonak, Mountain Village, St. Marys, Pilot Station, Marshall, Scammon Bay, Toksook Bay, Tununak, and Newtok. Besides the two Jesuits, the retreat team also included Dominic and Lala Hunt from Emmonak. A Jesuit Volunteer in Bethel, Caley Terry, volunteered to serve as kitchen crew and her help proved invaluable. Rooted in Ignatian spirituality, the retreat used various forms of prayer experiences: guided meditation, use of imagination, scriptural prayer, Taize prayer, Reconciliation, and Holy Eucharist. Small group sessions allowed for deep personal sharing. Most of the young people had never been on a retreat before and found the weekend to be a spiritual awakening. In their evaluations, one person said the retreat helped me realize God is always here. Another said, I now have a different way of seeing and interacting with God! Since the retreat, we have continued the conversation with Fr. Tri Dinh about how the Holy Spirit might be leading us. We hope the retreat will be the small seed that will bear great fruit in our Y-K parishes. Fr. Tri celebrates Sunday Mass to close the retreat. As part of the retreat team, Lala and Dominic Hunt of Emmonak provided music. ~ 16 ~
Group Photo In the Prayer Partners exercise, blinded retreatants share their hopes and prayers ~ 17 ~
April 22, 2016 My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I am confident that when I reach out to you, the people of the Diocese of Fairbanks, I am appealing to true friends, to people who understand our needs. Still, I know, this appeal finds us all in disturbing times, times troubled by political turmoil and fiscal uncertainty. However, I ask your patience as I explain why I need your support. I hope that once again, you will help us along this year with your prayers and financial assistance. It is with great sincerity that I would like to thank those of you who are already offering a helping hand through your loyal gifts made through the Alaskan Shepherd newsletter. What does it take to run a diocese that is nearly 410,000 square miles large? A good deal of prayer is required, as well as wonderful missionaries, lay people, and the support of people all over the United States and especially here in our own backyard. It is only upon becoming bishop of the last World Mission Diocese in the United States, that I truly understand the vastness of this region. My trips out to the bush have shown me an Alaska that you must see to believe. The Eskimo and Indian people of the northern and western coasts and the interior rivers are spiritually rich but sacramentally, underserved. The choices that we are allotted here in Fairbanks, in North Pole, and within our road parishes, to attend one or more Masses on Sunday and to receive the sacraments regularly, is a blessing that the people in our mission parishes do not have. The freedom to pick a wedding date, a baptismal date, and to go to confession, are all great luxuries that are not readily available, they are entirely dependent on the availability of a priest; and it can sometimes take up to eight weeks before one of our road parish priests can travel out to rural Alaska. Running a diocese requires many hands guided by Christ s heart. We must build and repair our churches, upgrade our catechetical programs, train our teachers, and form our lay ministers to serve in the absence of a priest. That profound loss, draws our priests out each week, to fly hundreds of miles so that those communities can experience the miracle of the Holy Eucharist. All of this draws on our resources, spiritually, emotionally, and economically. This is why I turn to you. I must pay for nails, siding and shingles to maintain our buildings; I must pay the fuel bills for dozens of parishes who could not otherwise heat their ~ 18 ~
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2016 SEMINARIAN ENDOWMENT CHALLENGE Fr. Robert Fath and the Diocese's newest Seminarian, Conor Baer, gather at Monroe Catholic High School for Mass. Fr. Robert is the Diocese's Vocation Director and pastor of St. Nicholas Church, in North Pole, Alaska. Conor is discerning the priesthood while pursuing his degree at University of Alaska Fairbanks. He will be attending Mount Angel Seminary, in Oregon, this fall. The Diocese of Fairbanks and Catholic Extension have partnered in an incentive program in an effort to build a permanent endowment that can be stewarded and retained for years to come. The income from this endowment will support the cost of seminarian education in the Diocese of Fairbanks. Qualifying donations must be new or increased gifts of $1,000 or more, or raised through special fundraising events designated for the program. Catholic Extension will match each qualified gift, up to a total of $50,000. What is the process for accepting seminarians? Seminarians are accepted through a lengthy and thorough process conducted by our Vocation Director, Fr. Robert Fath and Bishop Chad Zielinski. It includes a psychological test, background check, medical evaluation, and multiple conversations to assist men discerning this vocation. Candidates must be practicing Catholics who have completed their sacraments and have a high school diploma. A college degree is preferred. What expenses are seminarians responsible for paying? Though many seminarians families can and do contribute very genersously to their personal expenses, most come from families of very modest incomes. The average cost of educating and forming each seminarian, annually, in our diocese is $30,000. Their expenses include everything from tuition, room and board to books, stipends, and health insurance. How do we promote new vocations in the Diocese of Fairbanks? We strive to make personal contact in multiple ways, including in-person, by phone, by email and through social media. Bishop Chad and Father Robert visit schools, parishes, and campus ministries to talk about vocations. The best advocates for promoting vocations are parents. This challenge is a great opportunity for our diocese. For more information regarding Vocations: Contact: Fr. Robert Fath DiocesanVocations Director ~ 907-488-2595 fairbanksvocations@cbna.info For more information regarding Seminarian Endowment: Contact: Teresa Chepoda-Usibellli Diocesan Development Director ~ 907-374-9528 teresa@cbna.org www.dioceseoffairbanks.org The Alaskan Shepherd Newsletter ~ 20 ~
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