Extension Magazine - Fall 2021

Extension | Fall 2021 15
Father Stan Jaszek
joins the community
in living a subsistence
lifestyle—hunting,
fishing and gathering
for food—in the
remote villages of
Alaska’s Yukon-
Kuskokwim Delta
region.
each; they include Sacred Heart in
Emmonak, St. Joseph in Kotlik, St.
Ignatius in Alakanuk and St. Peter
in Nunam Iqua. Catholic Extension
has helped strengthen each
parish by constructing their
buildings or supporting
ministry training, religious
education and other essential
programs—even funding
the fuel that carries Father
Jaszek from place to
place. During a typical
year, he will make 60 to
80 trips. His transportation
changes depending on the
season. In winter he rides a snowmobile.
When the snow begins to
melt, he takes a plane. In summer
he drives a boat.
THE SPIRIT OF THE YUP’IK
Father Jaszek entered into the
lifestyle and cultural rhythm of the
2021 u 2022
Lumen
Christi
AWARD
FINALIST
As a missionary
priest, Father Jaszek
strengthens Catholic
faith among Yup’ik
communities in
Diocese of Fairbanks,
Alaska, respecting
their cultural
traditions and unique
spirituality.
native people, which means he
too lives a largely subsistence lifestyle.
He often has to forage for
his food. By living like the people,
he has developed a ministry
that integrates their spirituality
with the Catholic faith. He introduces
saints, devotions and liturgical
practices that resonate with the
native community, incorporating
Yup’ik hymns and drumming into
Mass. He invites them to celebrate
feast days and shares their traditional
foods such as bear, whale
and caribou.
“He immerses himself in indigenous
people’s way of life to
demonstrate his love for
them and invite them into
a closer relationship with
God. Alaska Natives, both
Catholic and non-Catholic,
universally hold Father
Stan in high regard
because they see this and
know he affirms their human
dignity,” said Bishop
Chad Zielinski of the Diocese
of Fairbanks.
Now in his 19th year in the Diocese
of Fairbanks, Father Jaszek is
one of the longest serving priests
in the diocese. This past year was
perhaps one of the most difficult.
During the pandemic lockdown,
he spent hours on the phone every
day counseling people.
When Holy Week arrived in
2020 and services were canceled
due to COVID-19, Father Jaszek
walked 22 miles round trip in the
snow to deliver palms to the parishioners
of St. Ignatius in Alakanuk.
In this community, the palms
are especially meaningful, imbued
with God and spirit.
“I knew it was going to be hard
for them not to have any services
for Holy Week or Easter, so
I wanted them to have something
tangible to carry them through,”
he said.
As a result of the pandemic
canceling the fishing season, the
area has experienced great economic
repercussions. It will take
years to recover. Father Jaszek said
he will continue his mission as
long as he is needed and as long as
he can.
“I see the need for God among
the people,” he said. “Responding
to that need is my strongest motivation.”
Father Jaszek will not be alone
in his work. Each supporter of
Catholic Extension is present in his
ministry, as a companion walking
two by two with him and the
faith-filled Alaskan communities
he serves.
Catholic Extension has
strengthened faith communities
in Alaska since its founding.
We continue to work in solidarity
with Father Jaszek and other missionary
priests like him by supporting
salaries, travel costs and
basic expenses of the missionaries
on this edge of the world—where
the ground is often frozen, but the
people’s hearts remain warm with
the light of Christ.