Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska
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April 21, 2025Bishop Steve asks for your prayers for the repose of the soul of Holy Father Francis, who died this morning in Rome. It is customary to pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be throughout the day upon the death of a Pope.Read More -
March 19, 2025Last February I waited three days in Bethel for a flight to Hooper Bay. A storm had blown through the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and grounded the flights.Read More -
February 11, 2025Bishop Steven Maekawa, OP. asks the faithful to pray for Pope Francis.Read More -
February 10, 2025On February 8, 1975, Bishop Whelan ordained the first Yup'ik Deacon to the permanent diaconate: Alvin Owletuck of Marchall, Alaska. Since then, over 50 Yup'ik men have been ordained deacons.Read More -
February 10, 2025After nearly 140 years of ministry in Alaska, the Jesuits have announced the conclusion of their priestly service in Alaska. This summer, Fr. Gregg Wood, SJ will return to the lower 48. To assist in the transition, Fr. Tom Provinsal, SJ and Fr. Rich Magner, SJ will continue to serve in their current assignments in the Diocese of Fairbanks until the summer of 2026.Read More -
January 30, 2025In January, I attended the annual Pacific Northwest Bishops’ Retreat. Archbishop Alexander Sample of the Archdiocese of Portland hosted the event at the Benedictine retreat house at Mt. Angel Abbey, Oregon.Read More -
January 10, 2025For Christmas and the 4th Sunday of Advent, I visited the villages of Kaltag, Nulato, and Koyokuk.Read More -
January 9, 2025The spring diocesan Engaged Encounter retreat is scheduled for 28 February-2 March 2025 at St. Nicholas Parish in North Pole. Couples preparing for a sacramental marriage can register online at https://fairbanks.engagedencounter.com. The registration deadline is February 21st. Contact [email protected] for more information.Read More -
December 19, 2024Implementation of the VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children® for Adults training for adults serving within the Diocese, as well as other renewal/recertification trainings by the VIRTUS Programs. Implementation of the VIRTUS Empowering God’s Children® annual training for all children enrolled in the Catholic Schools and religious education classes in the diocese. The program materials are continually updated and easily accessible through the VIRTUS Online website.Read More
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November 19, 2024Last week, I was in Baltimore for the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Over 230 cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and auxiliary bishops representing the 194 archdioceses and dioceses of America attended the four-day conference.Read More -
November 13, 2024On All Saints Day, I flew to the village of Chefornak for Confirmations at St. Catherine of Siena church.Read More -
November 4, 2024In September, Bishop Steven J. Maekawa, O.P., attended a course held in Rome for newly ordained bishops, commonly called "Baby Bishops School." On the second to last day, the bishops celebrated Mass at St. Peter's Basilica and had an audience with Pope Francis.Read More -
October 17, 2024Due to the changing needs of the Diocese of Fairbanks and to provide for the faithful of our diocese, I share with you these clergy assignments. Thank you all for your prayers and support of our priests. Please continue to pray for vocations to the Diocese of Fairbanks.Read More -
September 13, 2024Bishop Steven Maekawa, O.P., visited St. Jude Parish on Little Diomede Island in July. He shares some photos of his experience and the community's history.Read More -
September 5, 2024The Catholic Engaged Encounter retreat is scheduled for February 28 to March 2, 2015.Read More
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September 5, 2024The fall Catholic Engaged Encounter retreat is scheduled for 18-20 October 2024 at St. Nicholas in North PoleRead More
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June 10, 2024On Sunday, June 9, 2024, Steven J. Maekawa, O.P., installed Rev. Yakubu Aiden as the new pastor of St. Nicholas Church in North Pole, Alaska.Read More
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June 3, 2024Ministry Assignments for Fr. Patrick Bergquist, Fr. M. Arokiya Don Bosco, ALCP/OSS, Fr. Francis Kakara, ALCP/OSS, Fr. Eugene Okere, CSSp., and Fr. Thinh Van Tran, OFMRead More
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April 29, 2024Healing is a gift from God. We all can use healing in some way, whether from ailments, pain, grief, loss, addiction, injury, mental health, spiritual growth, or maybe just as a support for a loved one going through struggles. On Tuesday, April 30th at 5:30 pm, the Diocese of Fairbanks invites everyone to join together at Sacred Heart Cathedral and pray with Bishop Steve Maekawa, OP for our healing as individuals, parishes, communities, and as the flock of the diocese as a whole. This special mass will include the anointing of the sick and will be a spiritual journey to hopefully bring us all closer through the healing grace of God.Read More
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April 22, 2024After many years of faithful service in the Diocese of Fairbanks, Fr. Alphonsus Afina will return to his home diocese of Maiduguri, Nigeria. Fr. Alphonsus’ last day in the diocese is Tuesday, 23 April 2024. I would like to personally thank Fr. Alphonsus and his bishop for allowing him to minister in the Diocese of Fairbanks. I also want to thank the parish communities of the Seward Peninsula and Norton Sound, where Fr. Alphonsus has spent most of his time, for the support they have provided for him. Most Reverend Steven J. Maekawa, O.P.Read More
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