Understanding Our Church
A Treasury of Arkansas Writers Discussing the Catholic Faith
Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
Understanding Our Church
Explore this treasury of Arkansas writers discussing the Catholic faith on a wide variety of topics. Find what you're looking for by browsing the whole list or search by keyword or author. All articles have been reviewed for theological accuracy. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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Religious images, statues are not idols as described in Old Testament Father Jerome Kodell, OSB The First Letter of John ends with the terse sentence: “Children, be on your guard against idols.” (5:21) |
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Grandparents can learn from Joachim and Anne to pass on faith Chris Thomas One difficult afternoon, many years ago, was spent disciplining our 6-year-old son Andrew. After tears of anger and frustration, he shouted out, “I want to talk to Grandma.” |
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Gestures in Mass signify unity in body, mind and spirit with Christ Paula Standridge One of the countless treasures of our Catholic faith is the fact that we worship with our whole person: body, mind and spirit. Sometimes we do this so routinely and automatically that we are not even mindful of doing it or forget why we do so. |
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God gives charism to each person to share, unique as DNA Sister Joan Pytlik, DC All is a gift. We all know that God is always giving us gifts like the beautiful spring flowers, the people who love us, himself in the Eucharist. |
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Easter gives 50 days to focus on ‘going forth’ in name of Jesus Judy Hoelzeman On Easter Sunday we may sing, “Jesus Christ is risen today” but the mystery and joy of the resurrection could never be expressed in a single day. |
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Do not leave your gifts from Holy Spirit in a box: Use them Kelli Nugent I received the sacrament of confirmation as a sixth grader. I remember having to memorize answers to a set of questions that the bishop may ask us, the candidates. |
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Follow God’s example by offering clemency to those who do us wrong Betsy Wiederkehr Huss Do we sometimes forget the amazingly marvelous things God does for us? Especially, if we look at what we truly deserve or could justly receive from him. Clemency has been offered to us. We are sinners, yet God loves us and sent his Son, Jesus, to die for us so we could experience true life. |
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Remembering we are dust reminds us of our eternal salvation Deacon Matthew Glover About this time each year, Catholics around the world go through what some may call a rather morbid practice: having ashes smeared across our foreheads, while hearing the words: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” |
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Communion of saints binds us to our living and deceased loved ones Deacon Mike Cumnock Recently, I was asked to minister to a family by celebrating the funeral rite for a young woman. |
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Jesus helps faithful carry life’s burdens so we can find rest in him Edward C. Dodge “Come to me, you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11: 28-30) |
