Ursuline Sister Josephine Aloralrea recalls what she considers one of Catholicism's finer hours.

It happened in Juneau, Alaska, in 2009.

Catholics were welcoming newly assigned Juneau Bishop Edward Burns at a prayer service.

A group of indigenous Alaskans stepped forward, wearing furs, skins and colourful beads.

The people spoke to the new bishop in native languages and performed a sacred dance.

"Those were three things that had been suppressed by the government and the Church: native dress, language and dancing," says Sister Josephine, a member of the Cup'ik tribe on the Bering Sea coast.

"To see them accepted now was deeply empowering."

Liturgical leaders from around the U.S. came to Portland, Ore., Oct. 10-14 for a meeting of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions.