Greetings, friends!
I hope you are well! We have just returned from the Alaska Experience. Our group of travelers arrived safely after spending a wonderful week in Alaska, visiting Anchorage and Fairbanks.
To begin, we witnessed the missionary work of Archbishop Andrew Bellisario and Fairbanks’ Bishop Steven Maekawa. The Catholic Church in Alaska is still truly missionary. These brave men preach the Gospel and administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to far-flung communities accessible only by boat, plane, snowmobile, and even dog sled. They lead priests who come from local communities, but mostly from abroad, who make great sacrifices for the salvation of souls—often in extreme winter conditions.
The natural beauty of Alaska did not go unnoticed. Through the kindness of Mrs. Cathy Rasmuson, our small group was able to take a privately chartered flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks, making a figure-eight around Mt. McKinley. By God’s blessing, it was a clear day, without turbulent winds or clouds. We were able to see deep cliffs, ancient glaciers, and towering peaks. America’s highest mountain was truly magnificent—it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The gracious Sisters of the Perpetual Adoration Monastery received us for Mass and a small tertulia afterward. These contemplative sisters left their native Mexico to establish the first contemplative monastery in Alaska. Their main apostolate of prayer is perpetual adoration. These sisters give witness that contemplative life is truly the foundation of missionary activity. Their pure and simple hospitality was evident in the delicious desserts they presented to us: a cake topped with flan and a delightful pineapple dessert made from their own recipes.
We would like to give special thanks to Napa guild member, Cathy Rasmuson, who opened up Alaska to us. During our tours, including a “Come and See” at the Kincaid Grill and a reception in Fairbanks with many lay leaders and missionary priests present, we were able to encounter the true face of Alaska—something many visitors miss. We learned that Alaska is more than just a place of arresting beauty fit for an adventurous vacation. Truly, it is a place where the pioneering spirit of America is still alive, 250 years after the country’s founding.
