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Building with GodSt. Raphael ChurchCelebrates 25 Years

Diocese of Fairbanks - August-September 2016 - Volume 21 Number 7

Building with GodSt. Raphael ChurchCelebrates 25 Years

Ministeringto the people of Northern and Western Alaska

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Bishop & Diocesan Calendar

The Diocesan Online Calendar may be viewed at:

http://dioceseoffairbanks.org

AugustHarvest Dinner, Seminarian ChallengeQuarterly Days of Reflection for Clergy on the Road SystemBishop Chad in Rome, Italy

SeptemberLabor Day(Chancery Closed)Bishop Chad at Catholic Extensions 2016 Mission Bishop’s Conference in Lincolnshire, IL

OctoberEngaged Encounter Retreat - St. Nicholas Church, North Pole

22

23-25

31 -Sept. 19

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26-28

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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.

Diocesan Mission Statement

Diocese of Fairbanks Newsletter

CreditsDesigner & Editor

David Schienle

ProofreadersRobert Hannon

Deb LeibeeJim VillanoPatty Walter

Cover PhotoMike Mathers

Contributing WritersRev. Robert Fath

Teresa GorrellRobert HannonPamela RengiilLeigh Scarboro

Barbara Thieme TolliverTeresa Usibelli

Bp. Chad Zielinski

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.

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Message from Bishop Chad W. Zielinski

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It has been a soggy summer in Fairbanks. Maybe it has been the shortage of warm sunshine, but it seems remarkable to me that we find ourselves into another school year. Walk into any store in town and you’ll see rows of backpacks and shelves of pens, pencils, crayons and rulers on display. More than the smell of highbush cranberries on our trails, these displays announce a changing of seasons. Another reason school may be on my mind is because once again the diocese is blessed with seminarians. Ben Doudna and Conor Baer have just returned to Mt. Angel Seminary to continue their formation. I offer them my prayers and I pray for their fellow seminarians and all students returning to their studies. I recently attended the Knights of Columbus national convention held in Toronto, Canada. The Canadians were gracious, as always, and the chance to spend so much time with the hundreds of remarkable members of this fine organization always buoys my spirits. The Fairbanks Knights do so many commendable projects it’s hard to know where to start in thanking them. But, given the theme of education, I would like to mention, local Knights donated over 700 hours refurbishing our diocese’s home for seminarians. The Frassati House is now a warm and inviting residence for the men developing their vocations for our diocese. The national Knights convention was noteworthy in other respects. We heard from the Archbishop of Erbil, Iraq, Bashar Matti Warda. He was also a speaker at the Knights convention last year. Based on his reports and those of other prelates in the Middle East last year, the Knights of Columbus pledged and made good on an effort to send millions of dollars for people, who are routinely killed, tortured, raped and abused because of their Christian beliefs. Archbishop Warda told the convention this year he did not return to ask for more money, but to ask leaders of Western nations to unite hearts and minds to speak out about the atrocities taking place in Syria, Iraq and other regional countries. Hearing the Archbishop’s moving descriptions of the civil conflicts raging in the Middle East, I couldn’t help but reflect on the bitter tones that have crept into our political process recently. Fear and hatred are the fuels that drive violence. Anyone who plays on those emotions does not help our nation through our genuinely trying times. Rather we should look to the gospels for some Good News. Our Lord showed us there is a more powerful way to respond when we are confronted with those who threaten harm and division: Love. I witnessed this firsthand, again at the Knights of Columbus convention. We heard a presentation from The Little Sisters of the Poor, who described their work and the recent victory they achieved when the United States Supreme Court unanimously sided with them on a religious liberty case. As you may recall, the Little Sisters challenged federal regulations that would have forced them to offer contraceptives and abortifacients in their healthcare plans. This they said was a violation of their religious consciences. While the Supreme Court did not rule on the merits of the case, the justices were united in saying the government had gone too far. As a result, many court observers say the Little Sisters achieved a remarkable victory. What I want to draw your attention to, however, is the way the Little Sisters shared the news of their victory. Absent were any notes of gloating. There was no inflammatory rhetoric. Instead, they emanated a palpable aura of peace and holiness. Both on stage, when they addressed the conference, and later when I encountered them in hallways or waiting for elevators, the Little Sisters displayed a gentleness and compassion that spoke of a victory more profound than the rulings of any court could confer. So, I urge you this election season, be an informed citizen and study the issues. Keep our Catholic teachings close to your heart as you consider the questions and candidates before us; but more importantly, follow

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the example of Jesus. Meet fear and hate with love. Show mercy to the marginalized, helpless and exploited. In this way, we may genuinely achieve the victory Christ’s resurrection promised, or in the words of the St. Francis prayer:

“Where there is hatred, let me sow love…For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

Your Brother in Christ,

†Most Reverend Chad W. ZielinskiCatholic Bishop of Northern Alaska

Forming Consciences for Faithful CitizenshipCatholics Care. Catholics Vote.

Document: English: http://ccc.usccb.org/flipbooks/faithful-citizenship/en Español: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/formando-la-conciencia-para-ser-ciudadanos-fieles-indice.cfm

Video: Faithful Citizenship 101: Overview Presentation on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenshiphttps://youtu.be/ZYHZx7Ke-L0

The Catholic bishops of the United States are pleased to offer once again to the Catholic faithful Forming Consciences for Faithful

Citizenship, our teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. This statement represents

our guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy. We urge our pastors, lay and religious faithful, and all people of good will to use this statement to help form their consciences; to teach those entrusted to their care; to contribute to civil and respectful public dialogue, and to shape political choices in the coming election in light of Catholic teaching. The statement lifts up our dual heritage as both faithful Catholics and American citizens with rights and duties as participants in the civil order.

“We need to participate for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern.” - Pope Francis, 9/16/13

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With Summer quickly coming to a close our seminarians are preparing themselves to start another year of formation. We are very excited to have three men studying for Fairbanks and several others actively discerning. Ben Doudna left for Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon on August 1st to begin his 30-day Intensive Spirituality Retreat before starting his first year of Theology. Conor Baer will leave for Mt. Angel around August 10th to begin his third year of college seminary. Conor has been studying at UAF for the past year and spent the Summer working for a flight seeing operation in Fairbanks. Fredrick Granheim, our Norwegian seminarian, has been approved for his religious worker visa and will begin his pastoral internship at Sacred Heart Cathedral in mid-September. He

is currently studying at St. John’s Seminary in England. As these young men return to their studies it is important that we continue to offer prayers for them during their years of discernment. The call to any vocation can be challenging at times. Knowing that there are others supporting us can make all the difference. During my time in the seminary, I also found it helpful hearing from parishioners from all over the diocese. I would encourage individuals and parishes to send notes of support, spiritual bouquets, and prayer requests to our seminarians to let them know that we look forward to the day (God willing) when they will enter into the Lord’s service as priests!

The Office of Faith & Family Formation

Rev. Robert Fath

Ben Doudna Conor Baer Fredrick Granheim

To write to Ben Doudna or Conor Baer:Mount Angel SeminaryATTN: (Insert Seminarian’s Name)1 ABBEY DRIVE ST BENEDICT, OR 97373-9700

To write to Fredrick Granheim:Sacred Heart Cathedral1300 PEGER RDFairbanks, AK 99709-5168

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God Was Working With UsBy Robert Hannon

Betty Johnson

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The cross on the building’s corner stands like a masthead atop a ship’s sharp-edged prow, with the rest of the building fanning out behind it. A sense of cordiality permeates the setting. It is a feeling reinforced when you step inside. The unique angles of the worship space suggest intimacy and engagement on a

very human level. On many Sundays the enthusiastic choral refrains of “Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes, Yes,

Lord!” along with the rattling of car

keys and

tambourines spills out to the parking lot and surrounding woods. Betty Johnson, the former Pastoral Administrator of the parish, says that a sense of enthusiasm and community is built into the structure itself by the people who worship there. She remembers when the congregation was called “Catholic Church North” and met in nearby school gyms. Betty might also add that the history of the community, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, was guided by the Holy Spirit. What she won’t tell you, unless you persist in asking, is her role in the parish’s early

years. Many long-time parishioners consider her to be the heart of the community. Fr. Pat Bergquist, who served as the parish’s pastor for a decade says, “She, more than anyone, is the pastor of St. Raphael.”

FINDING A HOME Betty, her husband Frank and their four kids arrived in Fairbanks in 1969. Frank’s work had taken the family to several communities including Dallas, Texas and the island of Bermuda. Fairbanks might have been just another temporary berth for the family if they hadn’t discovered a

Unlike the other parishes in the Fairbanks area, St. Raphael Catholic Church is tucked away from busy areas of commerce or education. Set amidst a residential wooded hillside, you almost stumble upon its low fence, wide lawns and distinctive architecture.

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Charismatic prayer group. Betty says she and Frank had been growing in their faith as they moved from place to place. She recalls it was a heady time in the Catholic Church. The excitement and sense of anticipation sparked by Vatican II was making its way across the globe. Mass was offered in local languages. Priests literally changed their orientation, facing the congregation, emphasizing the laity’s role in the celebration. The people in the pews were responding with enthusiasm. In Fairbanks, Betty and Frank learned of a Charismatic prayer group that met weekly in a Methodist Church. Two nuns, Sr. Alice and Sr. Judy, were part of the community. “I didn’t know anything about the Charismatic movement at that time,” Betty says. “But I thought if two nuns were part of the group, it must be okay.” Betty says, although she and the group’s other Catholics found the vibrant prayer life infectious and they thoroughly enjoyed the ecumenical fellowship, they also felt something missing for them. The Mass with shared Eucharist was the perfect prayer meeting. They wondered if the two forms of prayer might be joined. So she, and another member of the group, approached Bishop Whelan to see if it was possible to start a Friday night prayer meeting in member’s homes. The meeting would center on a Home Mass led by one of the priests in town. Bishop Whelan agreed and sometimes celebrated the Mass himself. That was the birth of Voice in the Wilderness prayer group. Fr. Bill Dibb, S.J. was one of the many priests who celebrated

Mass for the group, and when he was made rector at Sacred Heart Cathedral in July 1974, he invited Voice in the Wilderness to make the cathedral parish its home. Fr. Dibb would later play a role in the eventual formation of St. Raphael Parish. Voice in the Wilderness proved so spiritually nourishing that Betty and Frank, and about a dozen other members, felt called to go further in their communal prayer life. With Bishop Whelan’s permission and encouragement, they formed a Covenant community. The covenant was signed by Bishop Whelan for a year at a time. It included praying together twice a week and praying daily, a short form of the Liturgy of the Hours as recommended by Bishop Whelan. The covenant also included sharing their resources as needed. While the Covenant community eventually dissolved as members moved or died, it is worth noting, a form of the communal sharing and prayer would eventually find expression at St. Raphael parish, largely through Betty’s leadership.

A ONE PARISH TOWN It is hard to appreciate today, but when Fr. Bill Dibb took up his assignment at Sacred Heart Cathedral, it was technically the only true parish in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Immaculate Conception had been swept under the Cathedral. So, the demands on the rector were considerable, as historian, Rev. Louis Renner, S.J., explains in Alaskana Catholica,(page 156) “It soon became evident to [Fr. Dibb] that he found himself in a ‘not workable situation.’ With

his urging, St. Nicholas Parish in North Pole came into existence in September 1975. On July 1, 1976, Immaculate Conception Parish, founded in 1904, and much later joined to Sacred Heart Cathedral parish, again became a separate parish. The following year, St. Mark’s University Parish was formally established…” In 1979, Fr. Dibb stepped down as the cathedral’s rector, but that same year saw him taking up service to a pair of fledgling communities north of Fairbanks. One community on Chena Hot Springs Road was centered at Two Rivers School, the other community which was closer to town met first at the school in Fox and later at Weller Elementary. Betty and Frank attended this latter community. Betty says Fr. Dibb strongly believed in starting and supporting fledgling Catholic communities. But grassroot communities have a way of growing, and even as the groups at Two Rivers and Weller thrived, the number of priests to serve them dwindled. In 1983 Fr. Dibb was directed to operate the House of Prayer in Juneau. Benedictine priest and monk, Fr. Tim Sander, OSB, agreed to celebrate Mass with the community on Sundays when he was available but, if he was gone, the community must find a priest, deacon, or an EM who was trained to do a communion service. They also had to find and ask for consecrated hosts from another parish in town as they had no place to keep a tabernacle. After a year of that arrangement, the appointed administrator felt the demands of balancing work, family and parish responsibilities were too great

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and resigned. That concerned the community. Betty suggested the parish council see if they could find a deacon to hire as parish administrator. Unfortunately, there weren’t any deacons available. The council countered and asked Betty to become the administrator. That set her back.

“I don’t think they will let a woman do that,” Betty told council members.

But the council members were undeterred and they took the question to Bishop Michael Kaniecki, S.J., who became Ordinary in July 1985. He gave his permission. One Sunday, not long after their meeting, Bishop Mike celebrated Mass in the Weller school gym and during the service he appointed Betty as Parish Administrator. More than that, in the next few years, he helped pay for her to attend theological training programs outside. In 1981, Tom Maher, a friend of Fr. Bill Dibb, offered to donate a parcel of land that he owned, off the Old Steese Highway, for the site of a new parish, with the stipulation that the church be named after the Archangel Raphael, who appears in the Book of Tobit. Betty called the community together after Mass at the school gym to consider Tom’s offer. They felt God was asking them to accept this gift of land and to begin raising money to build their long-awaited home. In the process they would learn about St. Raphael and ask him to pray with them. They knew this would be a tremendous task for such a small community, but they would trust that, if God was asking them to do it, God would be there to help them.

They talked with Bishop Mike to get permission to build and to make sure the diocese would work out a loan for them when needed. They opened a Christmas Toy Store for a couple of years and then a Christmas Ball and Auction. When there was enough money, the building committee hired architects. And then a series of near-miraculous events played out.

THE HOLY SPIRIT LENDS A HAND The community needed someone to head up the project - enter Jack and Stanlie Kreitinger from Montana. The couple had visited the community when it was at the Fox School Gym around 1980. They become friends with Fr. Bill Dibb and were both on fire for the Lord and had a deep desire to build a church. Betty and Frank had kept in touch with them over the years. Now Betty called them. Jack answered the phone and Betty asked, “Are you still wanting to build a church? We are ready to build…Are you?” Jack laughed and replied, “We just sold a little café that we built and operated for a couple years. I just asked Stan, ‘What are we going to do now?’ and she said: ‘Don’t worry. The Lord has it figured out.’ That was 15 minutes ago!” The couple drove to Alaska and offered a year out of their lives to head up the building of our church.

“We gave them money for food and took care of their housing,” Betty says. “That was all they asked of us!” Another piece fell into place when John Hanchett donated a trailer home for Jack and Stanlie

Kreitinger to live in. It worked wonderfully all summer and into the late fall. Then, just as winter really settled in, Betty and Frank’s next door neighbors offered their home for the parish. They were going to Arizona for the winter. The only cost was the electricity and heat. After the church building was finished, the neighbors remained in Arizona and Fr. Tim was able to live in the house for about a year. Perhaps most miraculous of all, Betty says, 99 percent of the parishioners helped on the construction, one way or another. Those who couldn’t pound nails, lay wire, plumb, paint, drive equipment or hang sheetrock, prepared meals for those who could. Even more surprising was the volunteer labor and equipment that came from the greater Fairbanks community. Several local businesses donated equipment and materials or sold them at cost. Eventually the combination of prayer and sweat equity resulted in a new parish church for the Fairbanks Diocese. Some years later the parish added on a social hall, a basement youth room and an upstairs apartment rectory. Reflecting on the time of building, Betty says simply, “God was working with us.” But it is a testament to Bishop Mike Kaniecki’s recognition of her spirit and work, that, at the dedication of the new building in 1991, he also took the opportunity to appoint Betty Pastoral Administrator of the new parish. Under her guidance, with clerical aid from Fr. Tim and other priests, the parish flourished. Every Sunday would find Betty standing at the entrance welcoming everyone to the service. Again, urged to do so by Bishop Mike, Betty would offer

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Safe EnvironmentBarbara Thieme Tolliver

Child Protection Office/Victim Assistance Coordinator

a reflection one Sunday each month and would gradually overcome some of her natural shyness. At the recent 25th anniversary observations, former St. Raphael pastors, Frs. Pat Bergquist and Jim Kolb, returned to concelebrate Mass with the current pastoral team of Frs. Kaspar Mallavarapu and Nelson Marilag. Also concelebrating was Fr. Ross

Tozzi who did his training as a priest at St. Raphael. Fr. Pat offered a reflection on the “Prayer to St. Raphael” which the congregation says each weekend. To the line, “We asked for a building, you gave us a home,” he spoke for many parishioners, past and present when he said: “This is home - and no matter wherever I am in the world

- indeed no matter wherever any of us are - here we are home - here we are family.” At the end of the Mass, current Co-Pastoral Administrators Camille Connelly-Terhune and Marie Martin presented Betty Johnson with a bouquet of flowers, acknowledging the woman who helped raise that family to maturity.

Every parish must present safety classes to our children to help prevent child sexual abuse. The beginning of the school year is the best time to show our parish youth these DVD’s which are loaned out from this office. Your parish should show them at religious education classes in September or in October - the sooner the better. If a parent does not want their child to view these short but excellent presentations on how to prevent child abuse, then an opt-out form must be signed by them. All adults and children who

see these DVD’s need to sign a sheet along with the date viewed and return them to Barbara Tolliver. This includes any opt-out forms as well. Let’s keep our children healthy, happy and blessed by participating in this annual event. Parish Administrators, pastors and teachers, please make sure this mandatory training is provided. Questions? Call Barbara Thieme Tolliver at 374-9516 or email barb@cbna.org to have these DVD’s mailed to your parish.

2016 Diocesan Annual AppealTeresa Chepoda-Usibelli

Office of Stewardship and Development

Bishop Chad Zielinski is seeking your help. Every day the diocese needs to power and heat parishes, schools and the residences of priests, sisters and brothers. It needs to repair or replace buildings damaged by flooding and storms; it needs to fly ministers to remote locations to bring Sacramental aid to those in need. The Diocesan Annual Appeal

is your opportunity to aid Bishop Chad in keeping our faith vital and active in Northern Alaska. You may have received a letter from the bishop explaining our needs and providing ways for you to help. Please respond generously through your prayers and financial gifts. You can also find out more by going online at alaskabishop.org, or by calling Teresa at 374-9528.

Goal ~ $100,000

DonationsReceived ~ $68,300

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Looking for a great school for your kids? Check out the Catholic Schools of Fairbanks: small class sizes, competitive athletics and a one-to-one iPad program for grades kindergarten through twelfth. An investment in your child’s education today will pay off in the future. Ninety-seven percent of our graduates continue on to two or four-year colleges or

universities. And, it’s not out of reach. This fall, the Catholic Schools of Fairbanks implemented a new tuition model. Under the new model, each family is asked to pay tuition based on household income. For more information about the model, please visit our website: catholic-schools.org.

Catholic Library

More Than Chance is a powerful Faith-based drama inspired by a true story starring the real-life Kelsey Minick, a young Ukrainian girl who inspired the story. Adopted by an American couple at the age of 2, Kelsey Jurgen (Minick) is taken from a Russian orphanage back to the U.S. Shortly after arriving, she is violently assaulted by her adoptive father leaving her a paraplegic. She is soon

adopted by a new family & now must learn to trust adults again, begin the healing process & learn to cope with her disability. At the age of 8, Kelsey meets a friend with a troubled past and together they begin a friendship that inspires both to pursue their dreams and overcome the obstacles that lay before them. It is a story of God’s redemption & changing what needs to be changed in our lives.

More Than Chance – DVD

Catholic Schools of Fairbanks implements new tuition model

To make reporting easier for parishes, the Chancery is transitioning the reporting date for Official Catholic Directory, Diocesan Directory, and sacramental records. Previously these forms and records were due at various times in the year. Now they will be due on the same day. The due date for returning forms and records is September 30, 2016. Forms have been emailed to parishes or regional coordinators during the second week of August. Instructions for sending copies of sacramental records was included in the email.

As the diocese transitions reporting of sacramental records to a fiscal calendar year, this year only parishes, will be reporting sacramental records from January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016. Parishes can check if their reports have been received at: http://dioceseoffairbanks.org/joomla/index.php/who-we-are/chancery-offices/sacramental-archive/28-2011-received-records. If you have any questions feel free to contact David Schienle at library@cbna.org or (907) 374-9555.

Official Catholic Directory, Diocesan Directoryand Sacramental Records

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From Illinois to Alaska: Summer Serving in the Bush

By Teresa Gorrell

Hi! My name is Teresa Gorrell. I’m a college student entering my senior year studying theology at a Catholic Franciscan university in west-central Illinois. This summer, I left the 90-degree temperatures of the Midwest U.S., to spend one-month volunteering in the remote parishes of the Diocese of Fairbanks. I worked with Sr. Marian Leaf, OSF, who is the parish facilitator of

the Catholic churches in four regional villages. During my time there, we worked primarily at St. Theresa Catholic Church, in Aniak, a village of about 540 people nestled along the Kuskokwim River, 92 miles northeast of Bethel. I also spent one weekend in a nearby village named Upper Kalskag. When I arrived on the opening day of fishing season,

the river was busy with activity. Motor boats ran up and down the river, children played on the sandy, rocky beach, seagulls overhead glided to-and-fro. Beyond the river, layers of mountains created the majestic backdrop that I woke up to every morning. I was blessed to witness these marvels of God’s creation every day. In Aniak, my main

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job was working with the six children, grades 1 through 5, who were preparing to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist for the first time. Because the church has no religious education program and many of the children don’t attend church regularly, they had very little foundational knowledge upon which to build their catechism lessons. We started with the basics of God’s love for every person and salvation through Christ’s sacrifice and continued with the sacramental forgiveness of sins and the mystery of Jesus’ physical presence in Holy Communion. With just nine one-hour sessions, this was a lot of information to cover! But the kids were great students, and by the time the visiting priest arrived the second Sunday of July, the children were ready and excited. In conjunction with a library sewing program, the children made their own white kuspuks to wear at the First Communion Mass. I assisted the children with this project, but the older ones did the vast majority of

the work themselves. I spent the 4th of July in Aniak helping with the church fundraisers: holding a rummage sale and selling food at bingo night and at the community fair. I also helped with some upkeep work around the church: painting the living quarters, installing snow guards on the roof, and organizing the storage shed. While in Upper Kalskag, Sr. Marian and I spent a full afternoon painting the bathroom and kitchen cabinets of the church, a project that badly needed to be done. We also took the time to visit with some of the elderly parishioners. One of these women took me through her whole house to show me pictures of every one of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren taped all over the walls. The church in Kalskag held a rummage and bake sale while we were there. Because the parish is unable to financially sustain itself (as is the case with the majority of Catholic churches in Alaska), the parishioners hold as many fundraisers as possible

to make up the deficit. Whatever they don’t earn comes from the diocese or from donations from the Lower 48. During the rummage sale, I directed craft activities for the kids in the kitchen of the church. We used a box full of foam and sticker craft projects donated from a church in Fairbanks. The kids enjoyed the crafts since they don’t usually have many leisure activities available to them during the summer months. I loved spending the afternoon with them, chatting and helping them with their artistic endeavors. Despite the difficulties of living in a remote village, the people I encountered in Aniak and Kalskag are very joyful. I found that the Yup’ik people bear a friendliness and generosity that is part of their heritage. I will never forget the people I met and the memories I made while serving in Alaska. I pray every day to St. Therese, the patron saint of Alaska, that she will bless all its mission villages with an every-growing witness of the Gospel of Christ. Our Lady of the Arctic Snows, pray for us!