Anchorage – On December 14, 2024, the Dominican Friars of the Western Province premiered a new short documentary, Sleigh Ride: Christmas in the Last Frontier, at the Bear Tooth Theatre. The film follows Fr. Matthew Heynen, O.P., and his companion Brother Cassian as they travel 548 miles on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to bring the Eucharist to three remote Alaskan villages that lack a resident priest.
From a simple idea to a celebrated film
The project began when Casey O’Leary, a layman who attended the Dominican Newman Center in Seattle, suggested showcasing the friars’ ministry in Alaska. He envisioned a visual story that would illustrate how the Order brings the sacraments to the ends of the earth. After the pitch was approved, filming began in July 2022 and continued for roughly a year and a half, extending when Fr. Steve Maekawa, then pastor of Holy Family Old Cathedral, was appointed Bishop of Fairbanks.
A rugged 548‑mile journey
Starting in Anchorage, the crew drove to Trapper Creek, arriving around 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve, then pressed on to Talkeetna, reaching the town just after 11 p.m. After Midnight Mass, they stayed with parishioners until the early morning hours before heading to Glennallen. The drive to Glennallen took about five hours, with the team battling 70‑mile‑per‑hour winds, sub‑zero temperatures, and occasional drone‑required detours that slowed them to a crawl.
Despite the harsh conditions—winds that threatened to push the vehicle off the ice, temperatures as low as 15 °F below zero, and a near‑miss with a wrecked car—the friars completed their mission. The final Mass in Glennallen was described as “beautiful,” and the team wrapped up with light‑hearted interviews while wearing Santa hats.
Faith in action for isolated communities
These villages do not have a priest on a regular basis. Talkeetna holds Mass more often, Trapper Creek every other week, and Glennallen only once a month. For residents, the friars’ visit is a rare and treasured opportunity to receive the sacraments, hear the Gospel, and participate in confession. Fr. Heynen noted that the people are “very grateful” for the chance to worship together.
Recognition and impact
The short documentary earned a Gold People’s Telly Award (public vote) and a Bronze Telly Award (judged by over 250 media experts) in the Film & Shorts categories. It also placed as a runner‑up in the Documentary Short category at the Catholic Media Association’s 59th Annual Gabriel Awards. The success of the short paved the way for a larger feature, Mission Alaska: To the Ends of the Earth, which premiered in Fairbanks on November 5, 2026, with subsequent screenings in Seattle, Anchorage, Oakland, and Rome.
Both films aim to inspire Alaskans and the broader faithful by demonstrating the Church’s commitment to reach even the most remote corners of the nation. As Fr. Heynen reflected, the experience reinforced the importance of “being in the right place at the right time” to serve God’s people.
Community response
Local viewers praised the authenticity of the footage, noting the unscripted, ad‑libbed moments that captured genuine prayer, camaraderie, and the stark beauty of Alaska’s winter landscape. The documentary has sparked renewed interest in supporting missionary work and encouraging volunteers to consider service in underserved regions.
Original reporting: Must Read Alaska (Anchorage) — read the source article.
