Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
Novena, Mass to celebrate new St. Teresa
Published: August 19, 2016
Resources from Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Relief Services worked closely with Mother Teresa in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and continues with her Missionaries of Charity sisters, a 50-year relationship that is still going strong.
Mother Teresa: Model to Us All | Mother Teresa's Story Bulletin Insert (En Español)
I Thirst: A Prayer Inspired by Mother Teresa (En Español) | Video Stories about Mother Teresa
Blessed Teresa of Kolkata (formerly Mother Teresa of Calcutta) will be canonized a saint by Pope Francis on Sunday, Sept. 4. Known for serving "the poorest of the poor" she founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950.
The Vatican anticipates the canonization of Blessed Teresa of Kolkata with this special postage stamp, which will be released Sept. 2, two days before Pope Francis officially declares her a saint. (Catholic News Service photo/courtesy Vatican Philatelic and Numismatic Office)
The late Bishop Andrew J. McDonald hosted Mother Teresa in 1982 when she visited Little Rock to consider a request to run Abba House, a shelter for pregnant mothers, their children and homeless women, on south Oak Street. She agreed and sent four Missionaries of Charity sisters to begin running the shelter in 1983.
The order continues to operate Abba House today. It is located near Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, the parish that has celebrated a special Mass with the sisters on the anniversary of Blessed Teresa's death for many years. She died on Sept. 5, 1997.
This year, the annual Mass on Monday, Sept. 5 will be the first time to celebrate her feast as St. Teresa of Kolkata. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will celebrate the Mass at 11 a.m. (on Labor Day) followed by a lunch reception. Parishioners and visitors are asked to RSVP to the lunch by calling the church office at (501) 666-5073.
Leading up to the canonization, Our Lady of Good Counsel will celebrate a novena of Masses each day beginning Aug. 26 using the following schedule: Aug. 26, 6:30 p.m. with Father Francis Damoah; Aug. 27, 4:30 p.m. with Father Josh Stengel; Aug. 28, 8 a.m. with Father Josh Stengel; Aug. 29, 6:30 p.m. with Father Thomas Keller; Aug. 30, 6:30 p.m. with Father Josh Stengel; Aug. 31, 6:30 p.m. with Father Josh Stengel; Sept. 1, 6:30 p.m. with Father Josh Stengel; Sept. 2, 6:30 p.m. with Father Kevin Atunzu; and Sept. 3, 4:30 p.m. with Father Taryn Whittington.
