Missionary Disciplesdioceseoffairbanks.org/joomla/images/Ministering/2018/2018-01... · Seven...

Inside:Sharing the Yup’ik Language Q&A with Dr. Ray GuarendiMessage from Bishop Chad W. ZielinskiOrganizers Hope Conference Will Leave People “Excited and Proud to be Catholic”

Diocese of Fairbanks - February 2018 - Volume 23 Number 1

MissionaryNew NameNew Look!

to the people of Northern and Western AlaskaDisciples

Editor David Schienle

ContributorsRev. Robert Fath

Misty MealeyLeigh ScarboroBarbara Tolliver

Patty WalterBp. Chad Zielinski

ProofreadersDeb Leibee

Misty MealeyBarb Tolliver

Rev. Ross TozziPatty Walter

Credits

“Missionary Disciples” is a 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, please contact David Schienle at the Chancery at (907) 374-9500 or [email protected].

February Edition

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2 DIOCESAN MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2018

Message from Bishop Chad W. ZielinskiBishop Chad W. ZielinskiThe Office of Faith & Family FormationRev. Robert FathSafe EnvironmentBarbara TolliverFrom Workshop for 25 to a Scriptural DinnerSr. Kathy Radich, OSFSharing the Yup’ik Language David SchienleQ&A with Conference Speaker Dr. Ray GuarendiMisty MealeyOrganizers Hope Conference Will Leave People “Excited and Proud to be Catholic”Misty Mealey

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Bishop Chad Zielinski with Billy Charles and grandson as they check a fishing net under the ice in Emmonak, AK.

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Message from Bishop Chad W. Zielinski

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As the Catholic Bishop of Fairbanks, I usually split my “office” time between our diocese’s chancery building in Fairbanks and traveling to the lower 48 states for meetings. Occasionally, though, I get to visit a few of our 38 bush parishes, which can only be accessed by plane, boat, snowmachine, or ATV. Last month, I was blessed with just such a trip, and spent almost two weeks of the Christmas season visiting the mostly Yup’ik villages of Kotlik, Emmonak, and Alakanuk on the lower Yukon River. I began my visit in Kotlik, where I celebrated the First Holy Communion of nearly a dozen children, then Confirmed three others. After a potluck at the community hall that included traditionally native foods such as salmon, akutaq, and moose, we gathered for Yup’ik dancing, which tells the unique story of their village. I was amazed to see the age ranges of those dancing, from preschoolers to the elderly; you could see how dances are passed from generation to generation. The men drumming and singing set a rhythm for the dancers’ movements that pierced all our hearts—it was as if the dancers were artists, carefully etching visible pictures onto the souls of those of us who watched. As I sat among them, I experienced a deep peace within my heart, mind, and soul as the dancers’ synchronized movements brought to life their ancient Yup’ik wisdom. I then trekked via snowmachine from Kotlik to Emmonak with Joe and David, two local guides who knew the trails along the Yukon like the back of their hands. It was wonderful to see the beauty of nature, with foxes running across meadows and moose eating branches from nearby trees. I celebrated Christmas Eve in Emmonak at an overflowing church, then traveled right away to Alakanuk for a Christmas morning service. The sun rose right as Mass began, which was a beautiful way to greet the newborn Christ Child. The congregation sang both Christmas hymns and Yup’ik songs, then added native drumming and singing after Communion. I watched the people come alive as their deacon led them in the traditional hand movements. During my visits to these villages, I spent numerous hours visiting individuals and families. I was humbled to see the good people of God sincerely seeking Christ for healing, hope, and strength. During Confession and in our conversations, they courageously named the difficulties they face daily that tear at the unity of their families and village life. Amidst these challenges, however, there is incredible social outreach woven into the fabric of Yup’ik life. Every person is known in the village and no child or adult goes unwanted or unloved. Native Alaskans have a keen awareness of each other’s needs, which I saw manifested in their quiet yet generous sharing of food, firewood, fuel oil, clothing, and Christmas gifts. In his Christmas Eve address, Pope Francis reminded the faithful that the Virgin Mary’s “yes” to God was a powerful act of humility that changed salvation history and gave us our Savior: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38). But God wants our “yes,” too. As I reflect on my time with the Yup’ik people this past Christmas, I realize their social interaction is actually a resounding “yes!” to God that affirms their native traditions, their Catholic faith, and the value of each person in the village. Their caring for one another echoes Mary’s humble “yes” to the Archangel Gabriel. I saw this illustrated most poignantly at the Christmas Eve Mass in Emmonak. In the middle of the liturgy, a little three-year-old girl walked up to the Nativity scene set up in front of the altar. She peered into the stable most intently, then suddenly smiled, clapped her little hands, and walked back to her seat—satisfied and happy that Jesus had been born and was now comfortable and safe in the manger. Even at that tender age, she already had the missionary heart so characteristic of the Yup’ik people, that yearns to share God’s love with others. This

DIOCESAN MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2018 3

child’s “yes” was a simple desire for Jesus to be “okay” and her little hands reflected the joy of that affirmation to Him. I visited Kotlik, Emmonak, and Alakanuk to give my rural parishioners God’s blessings at Christmastime. But I left those villages a very blessed man myself, as I encountered their “yes” to each other, to God, and to me. Happy New Year! In 2018, may we all encounter the Risen Christ even more intimately, and be transformed by saying “yes” to His call to make the world a better place to live.

Yours Sincerely in Christ,

†Most Reverend Chad W. ZielinskiCatholic Bishop of Northern Alaska

Bishop & Diocesan Calendar

The Diocesan Online Calendar may be viewed at:

http://dioceseoffairbanks.org

FebruaryCatholic Schools Week

Families Fully Alive Conference at Catholic Schools of FairbanksCatholic Trust Northern AK MeetingSt. Andrew’s DinnerAsh WednesdayFinance Council MeetingRite of Election at Sacred Heart CathedralPriest Convocation in Anchorage

MarchChrism Mass, Sacred Heart CathedralDistribution of Oils, Bethel, AKHoly Week

Jan. 29 -Feb. 2

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Bishop Chad giving a blessing at Sacred Heart Church in Emmonak, AK

Bishop Chad giving a homily at Sacred Heart Church

The Office of Faith & Family Formation

Rev. Robert Fath

SEMINARIAN SUPPORT FUND RAFFLE!

Help support our seminarians in formation by trying your luck at winning this LeVoageur canoe valued at $1,500. This beautiful wooden canoe will be raffled off on

the Feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha (April 17th) at noon at the chancery office. Tickets are $20 and will go on sale beginning Friday, February 9th at the Families Fully Alive

Conference and in parishes the weekend after. All proceeds will be added to the seminary endowment. Only 500 tickets will be sold, so buy yours now!

National Marriage Week- Feb. 7-14National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) is a great opportunity “to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family,” says Archbishop Charles Chaput, OFM Cap., Chairman of

the USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family and Youth in his letter to all U.S. bishops. The annual observance of National Marriage Week in the United States encourages a conversation on how strong

marriages promote and sustain strong societies by curtailing poverty and benefiting children. Resources for National Marriage Week can be found by visiting www.foryourmarriage.org or the USCCB website.


New Resources in the Faith and Family Formation OfficeWith the assistance of a grant, we were able to purchase the following resources that individuals or parishes may borrow from the office.

CATHOLICISM SERIESFor the first time, in breathtaking and high-definition cinematography, the truth, goodness, and beauty of Catholicism are illustrated in a multimedia experience. Journey with Bishop Robert Barron to more than 50 locations throughout 16 countries. Be illuminated by the spiritual and artistic treasures of this global culture that claims more than one billion of the earth’s people. Learn what Catholics believe and why. Discover the full meaning of the faith. (10 Episodes)

CATHOLICISMPIVOTAL PLAYERS

Bishop Barron is on a new journey to unlock the truth behind the Catholic Church’s most influential people. You’ll discover the places where St. Thomas Aquinas lived, learned, and wrote. Visit the countryside where St. Francis gathered a group of friars and revived the Church. See the places where St. Catherine of Siena ministered and prayed. Trek through England to where Bl. John Henry Newman and G.K. Chesterton left their mark and sparked an English Catholic revival. And through unprecedented HD footage, marvel at the extraordinary art of Michelangelo, from his David statue in Florence, to the Pietà at St. Peter’s, to the Sistine Chapel.

CATHOLICISM: THE NEW EVANGELIZATION

Sequel to the original formational program meets the needs of those who have journeyed to the Heart of the Faith and now wish to put their faith in action. Complimentary promotional materials available online CATHOLICISM taught us what the Church believes and why. CATHOLICISM: The New Evangelization shows us how to put our Faith into ACTION in today’s increasingly secular world. The Catholic Faith is not about myths or legends, symbols or literary devices. It’s about an encounter so overwhelming that you want to tell the whole world. It is an encounter with Jesus Christ. Throughout history the call of Christ has sent people to the corners of the earth with a message of great joy, a message that has built civilizations, inspired cultures and even sent some to prisons and to their graves. We have the same call - that’s the New Evangelization.

BISHOP ROBERT BARRON’S DVD COLLECTION

This 6-DVD set includes the following topics: (1) Untold Blessing: Three Paths to Holiness, (2) Conversion: Following the Call of Christ, (3) Seven Deadly Sins/Seven Lively Virtues, (4) Eucharist: Sacred Meal, Sacrifice, Real Presence, (5) Priest, Prophet, King, (6) The Mystery of God: Who God Is and Why He Matters.


FEAST AND FAITHWednesday, February 7th at 6:00 pm

Hope and Healing After an Abortion - Project Rachel AlaskaProject Rachel is a ministry based on scripture, through which you can experience the love, mercy, and forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ. When you have had an abortion experience, you need a time to grieve your loss and reflect on your feelings of regret and sorrow. Project Rachel is here to help you do that through a nine-week support group in a supportive and confidential environment.

Project Rachel offers:• Complete confidentiality• A safe place to tell your story about your abortion• Referrals to professional counselors

• Learning how other women have received forgiveness, healing, and peace• Tools to learn how, with God’s grace, you can accept forgiveness• Atmosphere of complete acceptance and trust• A process for healing

Contact Project Rachel Alaska by visiting their website at www.projectrachelalaska.com, by email at [email protected], or by calling 907-297-7781. Your confidentiality is always respected. There is hope and healing after suffering an abortion.

MARRIAGE PREPARATIONThe next round of citywide marriage preparation begins on February 17th and runs through March 24th and is being hosted by Sacred Heart Cathedral. Couples preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony are asked to contact their pastors to begin the preparation process. Once initial paperwork has been started, couples should contact Sacred Heart at 474-9032 to sign up for the classes. The Spring Catholic Engaged

Encounter weekend is scheduled for the weekend of March 9-11 at St. Nicholas Church. This weekend retreat helps to prepare couples for the Sacrament of Matrimony through a series of talks by married couples and priests, individual prayer and reflection time and conversation with one’s spouse to be. Registration is required for this weekend event. Contact your pastor for registration paperwork.

Young adults are welcome to join us for our monthly Feast and Faith gathering at Miguel’s Restaurant on Airport Way. This month we will discuss preparation for the season of Lent. What are your practices and traditions? How can we focus more on long-term conversion instead of a temporary test of wills? Come join us for a free meal, fraternity and conversation. If you have questions, feel free to contact Fr. Robert Fath at 374-9511 or [email protected] .


Safe EnvironmentBarbara Tolliver

Safe Environment Coordinator

Blessings of the new year to each of you. As your Safe Environment Coordinator, I am most grateful for your “good spirited” cooperation to ensure we are in compliance within our diocese and following the USCCB directives. In the very near future, I will be sending parish administrators an email attachment with a form to complete. This must be returned by the first week of July for recorded documentation. Please don’t fret as it’s not difficult to do! In fact, you may wish to begin filling it out when

you receive it. More to follow. April is National Child Abuse Awareness Month. Start thinking of how you can “again” incorporate this sensitive subject into your religious education classes, youth ministry gatherings and parish ministries. Every parish should have the poster “Promise to Protect and Pledge to Heal” displayed in your church foyer. If you don’t have this poster displayed, contact me and I will send you one. Jesus calls us all to “love one another” (JN 13:34) with our

actions and our deeds. “Have respect for everyone and love for our community” (1PET 2:17). Sexual abuse is harmful, debilitating, disrespectful and wrong. Teaching our children about what to do in uncomfortable situations and who to tell is the best direction to stop abuse. Again, training time in our parishes assists us all to promote healthy and safe environments. For more information on presenting materials to our youth, contact Barbara T. Tolliver at 374-9516 or by email: [email protected].

On behalf of Bishop Chad Zielinski and the Diocese of Fairbanks, I would like to announce that Sacred Heart Cathedral will be hosting the relics of Saint Pio. The Saint Pio foundation is organizing a tour of the relics in 2018, which marks the 50th Anniversary of Saint

Pio’s passing and we have secured the date of May 3, 2018. On that day, the relics of Saint Pio will be available for viewing by the faithful and the day’s viewing will conclude with a Holy Mass in honor of Saint Pio. More information will be forthcoming soon. ~ Leigh Scarboro

Relics of Saint Pio


Bishop Chad visiting Isadore and Angela Hunt in Kotlik, AK.The couple has been married for 59 years.

From Workshop for 25 to a Scriptural Dinnerby Sr. Kathy Radich, OSF

The weekend of December 8-10, 2017 was planned a Native Ministry Training workshop on the Gospel of Matthew, presented by Patrick Tam. Thirty-five participants from 14 parishes throughout the Y-K region were scheduled to attend. We should have gotten a hint that things would not go as planned when the coordinator, Sr. Ellen, and the chef, Sr. Kathy were a day late getting to Bethel because of bad weather. However, Friday dawned clear and beautiful, so it looked like all would be able to fly to Bethel for the workshop. Therefore it was off to buy the needed food for the weekend. Around 11:30 AM, after the purchase of fruit, veggies, bread, milk and other needed supplies

to feed 40, was unpacked at the Moravian Alaska Bible Seminary and dinner preparations began. Four participants arrived around 11:30 AM but a look out the window at 12:30 PM saw weather coming down and a beautiful ice fog beginning to form. Not long after — and for most of the rest of the afternoon — texts and calls came that flights turned around and returned to their base or were on weather hold and then eventually canceled. So what do you do with food for 40 and only nine people for dinner? Scriptures says you go to the highways and byways to invite them in. And so it happened. The director of the seminary and students

that study there were invited to eat with us. Then the director informed us that people from some of the villages that were not able to get home would be staying in the rooms at the seminary that we did not use, so they also were invited to dinner. Our little group of nine participants and staff quickly expanded to about 30. After a blessing by the Moravian director, food and conversation were enjoyed by all. “We need to do this again” was a common comment at the end of the meal. This was a great way to interact with people of different faiths and to meet others that want to deepen their faith and know God better.


Sharing the Yup’ik Language The work of Fr. Martin Lonneux, S.J.,

Mary Immamak, and Dr. Walkie Charlesby David Schienle

Fr. Martin Lonneux with Yup’ik people at Point Romanoff (Muskrat Camp)

Mary Immamakand son Phillip

Fr. Martin Lonneux, S.J., arrived in Alaska in 1924, spending 25 years learning the local Yup’ik culture and language. Part of Fr. Lonneux’s ministry was to translate the Catholic Mass, catechism, and prayers into the Central Yup’ik language. As a result of the work of Fr. Lonneux and his translator, Mary Immamak, in 1950, Fr. Lonneux published The Graded Catechism in Innuit and in 1951, the Mass Book and Hymnal in Innuit. According to Dr. Walkie Charles, “Fr. Lonneux created something still useful in 2018.” Dr. Walkie Charles is an Assistant Professor at UAF’s Alaska Native Language Center and is the only Yup’ik Ph.D. linguist who specializes in the Central Yup’ik language. For the past 26 years, Dr. Charles has been studying Fr. Lonneux and Mary Immamak’s

translations. In the interview Dr. Charles spoke of the reasons why Fr. Lonneux and Mary Immamak’s translations are so special, “The first Jesuits into Alaska

were linguists; what Fr. Lonneux captured and developed, because of his fine ear as a linguist, was able to find finite differences in spoken sounds and write it exactly that way into his manuscripts which eventually became a book.” Dr. Charles added that the two publications were the only literature available at that time for the Yup’ik people in the lower Yukon River. Fr. Lonneux and Mary Immamak made it possible for the Yup’ik people to learn the vernacular of the Church in their own language. Dr. Charles is originally from the village of Emmonak and describes his mission, “The word for man in the


Yup’ik language is angun which also means provider; it was my father who told me to provide our language to the people.” Currently Dr. Charles is converting Fr. Lonneux’s work into the modern writing system in order to increase accessibility of the prayers and language to the Yup’ik community. He explains, “Some of the symbols Fr. Lonneux used are unfamiliar to English speakers.” Dr. Charles speaks about the issues with the old writing system, “Russian Orthodox had their own writing system, Moravian had their system, and the Catholics had their own system. If I were to write a letter to you and you’re Catholic and I am Moravian, although we’re both Yup’ik, it would be a challenge for you to read my letter because I’m using what I know; on the other hand you know what writing system you’ve learned. And now everyone, Russian Orthodox, Moravian, and Catholic Yupik’s are learning the new writing.” The consolidation of the writing system into one has opened many doors for Yup’ik speakers and learners alike. It allows for everyone to learn one system, no matter where each is from.

Dr. Charles stated, “I am humbled to say that I have a responsibility for the maintenance of the Central Yup’ik language today.” He shares, “I don’t want to keep what I know; I was not brought up that way. I want to give; Yup’ik people give. I want to share what I have … to find ways to disseminate this because people are hungry for it.” Dr. Charles continued, “The old people would say, ‘Tangrrumanrilnguum paicitaaten uumek (The unforeseen gifted you this),’ Tangrrumanrilnguq (the unforeseen) also means God, ‘God gifted you.’ When I am teaching, working with the language, I sense its presence.” Dr. Charles explained that in Yup’ik traditions when a person dies, the next newborn is given the person’s name and receives the spirit of that person. Walkie Charles was born around the time that Mary Immamak died and was given her name. He feels he was given her spirit with her name. Gifted by God and with Mary’s spirit, Dr. Walkie Charles continues the work begun by Fr. Lonneux and Mary Immamak of maintaining the Central Yup’ik language.

Dr. Walkie Charles


The customized typewriter Fr. Lonneux used to writethe translation manuscripts. Notice the special keys.

Fr. Lonneux working on his typewriter at Point Romanoff

A Q&A with Conference Speaker

Dr. Ray Guarendiby Misty Mealey

In a week, the diocese will host its first major conference, “Families Fully Alive: Strengthening Marriages and Families.” The event will take place Friday, February 9 through Sunday, February 11 at the Catholic Schools of Fairbanks, and will feature nationally-known speakers and authors. Headliners will include Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, Mary Rice Hasson, Fr. Leo Patalinghug, Steve Ray, Meg Hunter-Kilmer, and Fr. Michael Oleksa.

Dr. Ray Guarendi also will speak at the conference. Dr. Ray is a Catholic psychologist, radio host, and best-selling author known for his common-sense parenting advice. He graciously agreed to be interviewed between speaking engagements, so we offer the following Q&A as a preview of the great content you’ll find at the conference.

The conference in February will be your second trip to Alaska. What have you found most interesting about the Land of the Midnight Sun?

You all live in an incredible place…the whole landscape just announces the majesty and power of God in a way I’ve rarely seen in other places. It’s incredibly humbling. Georgetown University recently reported that nearly 30% of Catholic marriages end in divorce. That’s better than the overall population’s divorce rate, but still troubling. What has kept you and your wife, Randi, emotionally connected through the different seasons of life?

As parents of 10 children, we basically had 10 missiles we could aim at each other to make sure we worked through our problems, because neither of us wanted to be the one to walk away and destroy each other through those great kids. As we’ve gotten older, though, and our kids have

moved on, we’ve learned that marriage is bigger than either one of us individually. We really have to take care of it and nurture it regularly if we expect to keep it strong. Your latest book, Advice Worth Ignoring, counsels parents to “tune out the experts” and trust their common sense and instincts when raising children. Of all the “expert” advice given to new parents today, what do you see as the most harmful? Psychological correctness--the idea that if you don’t do everything in the “psychologically proper way,” you’re creating unseen emotional damage that will scar your child for life. This fear has eroded parental authority and now parents can’t enjoy their children because they’re petrified they’re screwing them up irrevocably with every rule or consequence or comment.

Our “Families Fully Alive” conference aims to help Catholic families more deeply engage in their relationship with Christ, the sacramental life of the Church, and their faith communities. Why do you think so many Catholic parishes have trouble maintaining a strong sense of community for the faithful to draw upon for support during marriage and family struggles?

The only strong, successful communities are built on truth. And so many Catholic churches have watered down the truth that they no longer have anything that holds them together. Churches that have Catholics deeply connected to Christ, who teach people what it means to follow Christ as a disciple through His Church…those communities know how to hold each other accountable and help each other through thick and thin. If you’re not rooted in truth, church just becomes a country club full of selfish people who don’t care much about each other. So why bother?


Organizers Hope Conference Will Leave People “Excited and Proud to be Catholic”

by Misty Mealey


When the Families Fully Alive conference gets underway in about a week, the three-day event will no doubt look effortless to the hundreds of attendees. Putting together the diocese’s first major conference, however, was a lengthy, complicated process that spanned two bishops and involved copious fundraising, according to conference committee volunteer Mike Kramer. Kramer, who attends St. Raphael’s Catholic Church in Fairbanks, had the idea to bring a conference to the diocese after attending a small charismatic conference at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio in 2013. “The students at Franciscan were just on fire for the faith,” remembers Kramer. Within a few months, Kramer was joined by parishioners from around Fairbanks who hoped to generate that same kind of excitement among Catholics in northern Alaska. Kramer had initially proposed the idea to then-Bishop Donald Kettler in summer 2013. Kettler was supportive, but received news the next day he was being transferred to the Diocese of St. Cloud in Minnesota. The initiative stalled during the 18 months it took the diocese to get a new bishop, but new Bishop Chad Zielinski was immediately behind putting on a conference that would bring prominent speakers to the diocese. The conference theme was taken from Pope Francis’s 2016 exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, which addresses the pastoral care of families. For the past two years, conference committee

members have worked countless hours to schedule speakers, arrange venues, and promote the event across the diocese. To date, nearly 300 adults and youth, as well as 70 children, have committed to attending the conference, with several families flying into Fairbanks from across the state. Not surprisingly, the committee’s biggest challenge has been funding: members had to raise around $35,000 to cover speaker, venue, and promotional expenses. “It’s always expensive to bring speakers to Alaska, especially nationally-known ones in high demand,” Kramer says. Ultimately, committee members hope the Families Fully Alive conference will spiritually rejuvenate the diocese. “The Church has been through a lot over the past decade and we want this to be positive and uplifting,” Kramer says. “We hope to give people great tools to build strong marriages and families, but we also want them to come away excited and proud to live out their Catholic faith.”


Fr. Robert Faith taking notes duringplanning meeting for the conference

Deacon Bob Barnard listening during planning meeting

a dozen reasonsto choose Catholic Schools

1

We offer an education that combines Catholic faith and teachings with academic excellence.

2

We partner with parents in the faith formation of their children.

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We set high standards for student achievement and help them succeed.

We provide a balanced academic curriculum that integrates faith, culture and life.

We use technology effectively to enhance education.

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We instill in students the value of service to others.

We teach children respect of self and others.

We emphasize moral development and self-discipline.

We prepare students to be productive citizens and future leaders.

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12We have a 99 percent high school graduation rate. 85 percent of our graduates go to college.

We cultivate a faculty and staff of people who are dedicated, caring and effective.

We provide a safe and welcoming environment for all.

THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION

NCEA.org/csw


The Alaskan Shepherd Newsletter Volume 56 Number 1 Winter Page 8

Father Szymon Czuwara is the pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Delta Junction, about 100 miles southeast of Fairbanks. Ordained in Poland in 2005, Fr. Szymon arrived in Alaska in fall 2017, but says “only God knows” how long he’ll serve in the Diocese of Fairbanks. We caught up with him between Masses to learn about his vocational journey.

Missionary SpotlightFrom Poland to Alaska

What strongly influenced your faith growing up?I grew up with Religious in my family—my mother’s uncle was a priest and a female relative was a nun. My mother was a Catholic doctor who had a lot of priests as patients, too, so there were many clergy around. In Poland, everyone is at least nominally Catholic. How did you know you were called to the priesthood?As a child, I’d put a blanket around my shoulders and pretend to celebrate Mass; I even took up a collection from siblings! But as I got older, I didn’t really consider the priesthood—in my mind, I wasn’t ready to be a priest. After college, I started to think maybe I was called so I prayed and even went on a pilgrimage to Rome, but I was still conflicted. One day I asked a parish priest’s opinion said I was probably too old at 24, since most Polish men start seminary right after high school. But I decided to go and see for myself. I enrolled in seminary and within a month, I knew it was the right decision to stay.How did you end up in Alaska?It was really a series of Providential signs. I pastored in Ireland for three years, then my bishop called me back to Poland. He tried to mollify me in his letter by saying I could visit Fr. Stan Jaszek, who is one of our diocese’s priests working in Alaska, if I was still interested in English-speaking countries after spending a few years at home. In 2012, Fr. Stan actually invited me to visit, but I was really enjoying my work in a large parish in Lubin, Poland. But God kept Alaska before me: I gave a ride to a man listening to music from Into the Wild, a movie about traveling to Alaska; then my brother recommended that movie! Eventually, I was transferred out of Lublin and had a hip replacement; I started to think God was calling me to something new. Then I found the bishop’s old letter from Ireland. I told him I wanted to work in Alaska and he couldn’t believe it—unbeknownst to me, Bishop Zielinski and Father Stan had just visited him in Poland two months before! We took that as a sign I should be here. What advice would you give a young Catholic trying to discern his vocation?If you think you may be called, just go to seminary and see for yourself. If you’re called, God will let you know and you’ll want to stay. But if you aren’t, you can always leave. Even if one day you conclude it’s not for you, that time of formation will never be a waste of time.


Wondrous Encounters: A Journey through Lent

St. Raphael Catholic Church Saturday, February 24, 2018

Presenter: Sister Sharon Bongiorno

Sister Sharon is a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration of La Crosse, Wisconsin. She currently works in the Diocese

of Spokane ministering to the sick and home-bound through Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral Parish.

9:00 Mass

9:30-12:30 Session One

12:30-1:00 Lunch

1:00– 3:30 Session Two

3:30-4:00 Confessions

Registration: email [email protected] or call St. Raphael’s at 457-6603

No registration fee, but donations will be welcomed.

All adults are invited to join us on this journey; men and women. You are welcome to come for only one session if you can’t make it to the whole day.

All are invited for lunch. Main dish will be provid-ed, please bring a salad, side dish or dessert to share.


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