Archbishop Roger Schwietz

Joy abounds in preparing to welcome so many new Catholics

Mar 8, 2010 / 00:00 am

I clearly remember the day my sister Mary was born. It was May 1, a Saturday, and I was in the eighth grade. I was scheduled that day to take a bus to the Catholic High School I had hoped to attend in order to take an entrance exam. I was nervous about whether I would be accepted.When I looked out the window, I was surprised to see snow on the ground. A late spring snowfall was not a good omen. When I got to the kitchen to have breakfast before heading out the door, I found my father waiting for me. He announced that I had a new baby sister, born early that morning. Suddenly, all my concerns disappeared in the joyful realization that our family had grown.This is the feeling I experience at the Rite of Election when, every year at the beginning of Lent, we welcome into our family those in the RCIA process (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) who will become Catholics through baptism and/or confirmation at the Easter Vigil.This year, we had two gatherings for this ceremony on the first weekend of Lent. Saturday evening, we gathered in Soldotna at Our Lady of Perpetual Help for the parishes of the Kenai Peninsula. On Sunday afternoon, there was a second gathering at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church for those of the Anchorage bowl and the Mat-Su Valley.It is important to clarify that there are two different groups of people preparing to enter the Catholic Church through the RCIA process: the catechumens, who are not baptized, and the candidates, who have been validly baptized in another Christian community. Following the recent Rite of Election, the catechumens are now called “The Elect” until they are baptized, confirmed and receive the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. The candidates will not be re-baptized, but will make their profession of faith, be confirmed and receive the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.The words of the church’s liturgy the first Sunday of Lent, and especially the Sacred Scriptures, give an encouraging message. Moses, in the first reading from Deuteronomy, reminds the people to remember who they are. By annually reciting their history, “My father was a wandering Aramean…” they are reminded of their identity. That memory of their relationship with God, who chose them as his people, helped them remain faithful to God through a difficult history. Likewise, in the Gospel of the temptations, Jesus is mindful of his identity and so resists Satan. The Scripture readings of the Rite of Election continue this theme, reminding us of God’s promise to renew us internally, a renewal that Jesus assures us we participate in through baptism. (John 3:1-6)This theme of being chosen and “owned” by God encourages all of us on our journey of faith, especially candidates and catechumens. Thus, I always find this celebration of the Rite of Election to be affirming and joyous as we prepare to welcome new members of our faith community.The numbers of those joining us is both an encouragement and a cause for gratitude, with over 100 new members (approximately 45 candidates and 65 catechumens). The percentage of those that we are welcoming, when compared to our overall Catholic population, compares very favorably with large dioceses and archdioceses throughout the country.Like the growing length of days during this time of year in Alaska, the growing members in our faith family are truly encouraging for us all. A new birth is a cause for celebration in a family. The new births through water and the Spirit in the Archdiocese of Anchorage is much more so as we journey through this season of prayer and penance in the awareness of our unworthiness of God’s gracious mercy in Jesus.Printed with permission from The Catholic Anchor, Archdiocese of Anchorage.

Visitations of women’s religious shouldn’t be seen as negative judgment

Nov 5, 2009 / 00:00 am

A couple of years ago, I had the privilege of participating in the seminary visitation which took place, under the auspices of the Holy See, over the course of more than a year. I participated in teams that visited two different seminaries over the course of the year. Many other bishops also participated in these teams since every seminary in the country was visited.After the visitations, each team sent a report to the Holy See, and their work was completed. Later the seminary and its bishops or religious superiors received confidential feedback from the office of the Holy See, which initiated the visitation. Prior to the visitation I was not sure what to expect but, as it turned out, the experience was very positive for me and, I think, for the other bishops who participated and for the seminaries, as well.I found the visits to be opportunities to create relationships and to affirm seminary staffs and seminarians. I was impressed by the dedication of the personnel and the quality of the seminarians. I am sure the reports also helped the pope’s collaborators in Rome to understand better our situation in this country.A similar process is taking place these days with an apostolic visitation of active religious communities of women in this country. As I understand it, the visitation is being carried out by women religious chosen from communities in this country.Although I do not have a role in this visitation, I anticipate that this, too, will have positive results and will be an occasion for our Holy Father and his staff to more accurately and deeply understand the life and ministry of these communities.In the meantime, however, I have been saddened to hear that some of our women religious, especially those who have dedicated long lives of generous service to Christ and his church, are interpreting this visitation as a negative judgment on their ministry as well as on their own religious life. I cannot help but think of the faith-filled sister who first taught me how to serve Mass (a few years ago) and who is still living, retired with her community in Chicago. I visit her when I can, thanking her for her ministry and her example of generous service, which remains with me today. I think, also, of the courageous, self-sacrificing and strong women religious who were instrumental in serving those in need and planting the seed of faith here in Alaska. Some have been thanked in recent years, but many more simply continued their service and vowed life without recognition until the Lord called them home.I hope that our Catholic community uses this opportunity to thank and support these veterans of the apostolic fields who have served so steadfastly through the challenges the church has experienced these past thirty to forty years. May God give them the peace they deserve in knowing that God’s grace has not been in vain and their ministry has been a gift to the church.Printed with permission by The Catholic Anchor, Archdiocese of Anchorage.

Parental involvement supports a culture of life

Sep 24, 2009 / 00:00 am

Many Alaskans are not aware that in our state a young woman less than 18 years of age can obtain an abortion without the knowledge of her parents. They must have permission to go on a field trip or obtain an aspirin from the school nurse; however, current law does not require any parental involvement or even notification before a minor undergoes an abortion.

Help needed in journey between conception and natural death

Apr 17, 2009 / 00:00 am

Catholicanchor.org

The death penalty is unjustified in civil society

Mar 5, 2009 / 00:00 am