Catholic community on Aleutian Islands chain grows into a parish

Published: 2007-09-10

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNS) -- What was once considered a far-flung and remote mission on the windswept Aleutian Islands chain of Alaska is now one of the newest parishes in the United States. St. Christopher by the Sea in Unalaska became the Archdiocese of Anchorage's latest parish in August. People attending Mass there won't notice much difference but it's a rite of passage, signaling that the faithful in Unalaska have achieved a lasting community. "In the decree establishing the parish in canon law, the word 'stability' or a variation of it is used three times in the first three paragraphs," said pastoral leader Henrietta Callewaert. Although he won't be a resident priest for the parish, Father LeRoy Clementich, the archdiocesan director of rural pastoral support, will serve as the new pastor, and fly to the parish for two weekends a month, spending the week between in Unalaska. Father Nelson Marilag will travel to St. Christopher for two other weekends and one week a month.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .