Fallow Fields: The Lack of Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Anchorage

The Archdiocese of Anchorage has 5 Catholic Schools. The Kenai Peninsula has none. There are 4 parishes and 2 Mission Churches on the Kenai. Based on the Ratio of Schools-to-Parishes in the Anchorage area, the Kenai should have anywhere from 1-3 schools.

This isn't for a lack of trying either. A few years ago there was a Home-School co-op effort that was set up which faced more hurdles than help. There was also an attempt to petition for a school and after meetings were held and support was waged, the decision was announced that "not enough people wanted it." This still perplexes many of the families that to this day desire for a Catholic School.

It isn't as if the AOA is against Catholic Schools, in fact, the Catholic Anchor recently wrote a wonderful piece about the recent graduations at Catholic Schools in Anchorage. In the article the Archbishop's Homily is quoted, and the graduates themselves rave about the education and Catholic Formation they received in school:

“Senior year … I really think a lot of us had defining moments in our faith,” graduate Lauren Heilala said. “Graduating from Lumen Christi my faith is stronger than it’s ever been and I know it will continue to get stronger.”

All 16 Lumen Christi graduates are Catholic, except for one student who plans to enter the church next year. Another student, Yuri Beans, was baptized this year at St. Benedict and faith appears to be at the forefront of many students’ minds.

“I started here in seventh grade not having a very strong faith at all,” graduate Justin Teel said. “But the theology department and Lumen gave me a feeling that they would never give up on me. I realize that what they were teaching me was to never give up on God.”

Students also recognized that as young adults their beliefs need to become their own.

“Senior year was my first year at Lumen that I began to be independent in my faith,” Heilala said. “It was also wonderful to be able to see my friends grow spiritually along side of me.”

Holy Rosary graduate Daniel Daney also expressed gratitude for the spiritual strength he drew from his time in Anchorage’s only other Catholic high school program.

Daney is a recent convert to the Catholic Church and credits his conversion to regular holy hours before the Eucharist — a practice which the school observes on the first Friday of each month.

Recently, Daney decided to answer what he believes may be a call to the priesthood.

“The school’s dedication to prayer and to God has really helped,” he said. “It really boosted my faith.”

This fall, Daney heads to Borromeo Seminary in the Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio to continue his discernment.

It is a curious thing, the Fallow Fields of the Kenai Catholic educational environment. It is almost as if we are ignored, or that those in power don't want Catholic schools down here. Wouldn't a Catholic school only help this area be more Catholic? Look at the above article, should we not long for them, for our children and our families?

I had the privilege of living near, and benefiting from the amazing Spiritus Sanctus Academies when I lived in Michigan. They are run by none other than the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. The way they revitalized the parishes in our area was astounding. If only we could have that here.

I guess we just keep praying. St. Thomas Aquinas, Patron of Schools ~ Ora Pro Nobis.

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