One in Christ ACC helps bring new tabernacle to remote Alaskan parish

Over the past few years, the One in Christ ACC has forged a close bond with the people of St. Peter the Fisherman Parish in Toksook Bay, Alaska.

So, when volunteers noticed that the church’s original tabernacle — installed when St. Peter the Fisherman was built in 1966 — was damaged, they wanted to do something.

Because of the harsh climate conditions in Toksook Bay, the tabernacle was tarnished with an almost rusty look to it and was dented in spots, Deacon Kresky said. In addition, the door and area around the lock had been damaged, suggesting it may have at one time been forced open.

It clearly needed to be replaced.

“It was in rough shape for something that is supposed to be a sacred space for Jesus to be,” Deacon Kresky said.

At the time, it just so happened that one of the Eucharistic Revival initiatives of the One in Christ ACC — which includes parishes in Sauk Rapids, Sartell, Mayhew Lake and St. Stephen — was to help a parish in need of a tabernacle. It was the Holy Spirit at work, Deacon Kresky said.

“We had considered various possibilities for [helping in] places where they may have difficulty affording a tabernacle,” said Father Tom Knoblach, the ACC’s pastor.

Deacon Kresky brought the idea to the ACC committee tasked with this particular initiative. During one visit to Alaska, he took photos of the old tabernacle and recorded measurements.

The task force then invited donations from across the four ACC parishes, resulting in an overwhelmingly positive response. Enough money was raised to cover the cost of the tabernacle and the expense of shipping it to Alaska.

The committee worked with Mike Gamades at the St. Cloud Bookshop to order the tabernacle in October 2025. It was designed by Excelsis Progressive Bronze, a manufacturer of custom-made religious metalwork and church furnishings based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The tabernacle was ready to ship in April 2026 and, Deacon Kresky noted, made the journey to Toksook Bay by nearly every mode of transportation imaginable. It first traveled by truck to Seattle, where it was loaded onto a barge bound for Anchorage. From there, it was flown to Bethel, Alaska, before completing the final leg of its trip aboard a small cargo plane to Toksook Bay, arriving July 6. Two young volunteers then loaded it on a four-wheeler to get it to the church.

Father Knoblach said the project became more than simply replacing a damaged tabernacle. It also provided an opportunity to reflect on the unity of the Church and the significance of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist.

“This represents a catechetical moment to become more aware of our unity in the Body of Christ and the power of the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus, which is not bound by place, culture, language or customs,” he said. “Since the tabernacle is used at every Mass and by those who spend time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, it serves as a dynamic sign of the bonds we share in the Lord.”

The people of St. Peter the Fisherman Parish don’t generally ask for things, Deacon Kresky added. So, when he brought up replacing the tabernacle, the Alaskan priest, pastoral council and parishioners were very excited.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude for all that you have done to replace our tabernacle,” said Maggie John, St. Peter the Fisherman Parish administrator, in a July 12 letter to the ACC, adding, “Quyana for the new tabernacle,” which is a widely-used indigenous word that means “thank you.”

The people of St. Peter the Fisherman Parish are humble, living off the land and supporting each other and they have a deep faith, Deacon Kresky said.

“Their spirituality is very deep and they have a great sense of God’s presence — they are believers,” he said.

“Having these symbols, having this tabernacle, having these things that represent their faith and then speak to them, I think are just very precious,” he added. “I’ve heard from a number of them just how much this means.”

Pictured above: Father Shepherd Munaro, pastor of St. Peter the Fisherman Parish poses with Maggie John, center, and Catherine Moses. (Photo submitted)