Ministry in Southeast Alaska

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Every day here in Southeast Alaska I am surrounded by incredible natural beauty--majestic, snow-covered mountains, winding waterways, and scores of eagles, gulls, and other birds. But since this area is made up of islands it can be a challenge for a faith community to meet on a regular basis. In Juneau we have four Masses every weekend, but I recently flew to Petersburg to facilitate a retreat morning with a group of women. This community shares its pastor with a parish about 50 miles away, so every other week the pastor travels by ferry to Wrangell and stays the week. Therefore, two weekends every month parishioners lead Communion services which are well-attended. St. Catherine’s parish is truly alive in its faith! I was inspired by each parishioner’s commitment and willingness to share responsibility for all the activities that make this such a vital parish. It was a joy for me to share my faith with them.
Sr. Marie Lucek, OP

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