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Father Robert Fath is pastor of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in North Pole, Alaska, recently ordained in 2007. He answered Headline Bistro's questions on the joys and challenges of serving a diocese larger in land mass than Texas, an initiative to help parishioners learn more about the Liturgy and his thoughts on the Year for Priests.

by Elizabeth Hansen

Are you originally from Alaska?

I am not originally from Alaska; however, I am considered the first “home grown” vocation for the Diocese of Fairbanks. My parents were in the Army. I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and have lived all over the country. My parents were stationed at the Army base in Fairbanks in the 1980s, and after a couple of other assignments, we returned when my dad retired in 1993. ... Most of my life has been spent here in Alaska.  

I can remember one Christmas, when the Hale-Bopp comet was passing by, coming out of the church after midnight Mass and seeing the Aurora dancing in the sky with the comet behind it. It was absolutely beautiful.

What led you to the priesthood? Was it an early call, or something that came later in life?

My calling first came in high school when a couple of Redemptorist priests came to Sacred Heart Cathedral (my home parish) for a mission. I'm not sure what they said, but whatever it was it sparked an interest in me. Over the next several years I was in contact with the Redemptorists and our local bishop.

In 1998 I decided that I wanted to study for the diocese. The Redemptorists were very appealing, but I knew that my home diocese was experiencing an extreme priest shortage, and I didn’t feel like I could serve somewhere else knowing that we needed priests here...

To most Catholics in the U.S., a parish in North Pole, Alaska, probably sounds as far from civilization as you can get, even though you’re just outside Fairbanks. What’s it like being a priest in a diocese as remote and far-flung as yours?

In many respects being a priest here in Alaska is no different than anywhere else in the country. The advantage is that our parishes tend to be much smaller than many in other places. St. Nicholas only has 300-350 families, but is considered a large parish here in our diocese.

There are big differences, though. The Diocese of Fairbanks is approximately 409,000 square miles, larger than the state of Texas. Of the 48 parishes we have only eight are on the “road system” – the rest are out in Alaska Native communities in what we call the “Bush.” The urban priests (those of us in Fairbanks and North Pole) only cover one parish a piece, but my brother priests outside the city cover as many as seven by themselves.

Also, because of our low numbers, you learn to grow up fast as a new priest. While I was officially the parochial vicar at the cathedral after my ordination, I was the only priest assigned there with the bishop. Under the bishop’s direction, I was taking care of the day to day administration of the parish shortly after ordination.

Despite some of the challenges, though, we have faith-filled, active communities. It’s a joy to serve the people up here.

What’s the best part about living in Alaska?

Alaska is absolutely beautiful year round. As the seasons change you can see God's hand at work. Right now as I look at the window the leaves of the birch trees are changing from green to gold.

I can remember one Christmas, when the Hale-Bopp comet was passing by, coming out of the church after midnight Mass and seeing the Aurora dancing in the sky with the comet behind it. It was absolutely beautiful.

Last fall, the Diocese of Fairbanks caught the attention of the Catholic blogosphere and news outlets with “Priestless Sunday” – a weekend when priests left their Fairbanks parishes in the hands of deacons and lay leaders in order to bring the sacraments to the mission parishes. How often are you called upon to serve those outlying missions? What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had in the more rural regions of the diocese?

I have not spent much time out in the Bush myself. Last October for “Priestless Sunday” I was asked to visit the village of Alakanuk on the Bering Sea Coast. Because of the time of year and the need to travel by small plane, it took us two days to get out to the coast because of daylight and weather. It was very enjoyable. The people were wonderful.

My most memorable experience, though, was spending a few weeks one summer in the village of Newtok out on the coast during seminary. It is one of our more “rustic” villages with no running water/sewer/showers. ... After a couple of weeks I found village life rather enjoyable. The time out there gave me a new appreciation for what Catholics without a priest must go through. In the six weeks in the village we only had Sunday Mass twice. The rest of the time Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest were lead by the deacons.

What’s your favorite aspect of being a parish priest?

...I think the liturgy is my favorite aspect of being a parish priest, especially preaching. In seminary, I dreaded my homiletics classes the most, yet now that I've been in the parish I find that preaching is one of the most enjoyable aspects of being a priest. I try to break open the Word in such a way that I can connect with all of my parishioners from the children, to the teens, to the adults and the elders. Nothing brings me more joy than when a teenager in the parish tells me they got something out of the homily.

Lately you’ve been writing a short, regular piece in your parish bulletin on “Liturgical Tidbits,” going through the order of the Mass and essentially explaining the motions – why?

I stole the title “Liturgical Tidbits” from Fr. Paschal Cheline, OSB, at Mount Angel Seminary, he was my Liturgical Year professor. Several times a month, Fr. Paschal would give a short two or three minute talk on some aspect of the liturgy before Mass in order to help us deepen our understanding of the liturgy.

Vatican II emphasized that the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life and that we are called to full, active and conscious participation in the liturgy, and I firmly believe this. As a cradle Catholic growing up I remember passively experiencing the liturgy, never questioning why we do what we do. My experience has been that many Catholics are that way as well. My goal with the tidbits was to break down the Mass in order to help people understand the deeper mysteries we are celebrating. Everything from the liturgical colors, to hand gestures, and even the need for sacred silence have been topics.

There is a hunger for Truth in the world today. ... I see an increase in the number of young people who yearn for a connection with God and who are willing not just to talk about it, but to act upon it.

Most of the tidbits are only about 250 words, making them short enough for someone to read rather quickly. ... On the odd occasions when I did not have time to write a tidbit for the week, a number of parishioners expressed their displeasure.

Serving in a diocese that averages one priest to every 20,000 square miles, you have a unique perspective on the Church’s need for vocations to the priesthood. What has your experience in Alaska taught you in terms of how to meet this need and cultivate vocations locally?

Often times, I think parishioners think that priests are “grown” somewhere away from their parishes. I try to remind my parishioners that we are not hatched from eggs in monasteries; we come from Catholic homes and parishes. In order for us to cultivate vocations we have to do a number of things.

First, we have to pray constantly that God will call men to serve His Church in this vocation.

Second, we have to encourage everyone, most especially families, to talk about vocations to the priesthood and religious life with their children. If it is not presented as an option, why would our youth even consider it? Along with talking about vocations we need to have the courage to be that voice of God n the lives of young people and ask them whether they've considered a vocation. Many times such a simple question can have profound effects!

Finally, we need to teach our young people that there is more to the world than fame and fortune. Instead of allowing them to be inundated with images of pop icons and movie stars, we should holding up men and women who are making a difference in the world through acts of charity and selflessness. We need to help them understand that fulfillment does not come from a hefty bank account but a life lived in, for and through Christ.

In this Year for Priests, what do priests need most from the laity?

Prayer, prayer and more prayer. Priests today are taxed with many different assignments, especially up here in Alaska where there are so few of us. The last few years as a priest, for me, have been absolutely wonderful but very exhausting. What has helped me the most, though, is knowing that I have parishioners who love and support me as much as I try to love and support them. 

In his letter announcing the Year for Priests, Pope Benedict XVI invited all priests “to welcome the new springtime which the Spirit is now bringing about in the Church.” What signs of hope do you see in the Church?

There is a hunger for Truth in the world today. In the parishes that I have frequented over the last ten years I see an increase in the number of young people who yearn for a connection with God and who are willing not just to talk about it, but to act upon it.

That youthful energy is giving a new vitality to our parishes and to the faith. We as clergy need to not only encourage that energy and spirit, but also harness it to help the faith grow stronger.