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Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
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Happening Now
The following offers the latest information about events and activities happening in the Diocese of Little Rock.
Arkansas Catholic is sharing God's story
God is telling the story. Arkansas Catholic is here to share it with you. Pope Francis has called for a missionary transformation of the Church so the Diocese of Little Rock made a decision last year to make the digital version of Arkansas Catholic free for everyone in our diocese thanks in part to your support of the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal. The award-winning weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Little Rock offers complete print and digital subscriptions. Set up your subscription today in one of two ways: 1.) The print edition is delivered to your mailbox every week. ... More
Rite of Election held despite challenges
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and winter weather, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor celebrated the Rite of Election in two parishes Feb. 20-21. Each year, bishops in Catholic dioceses worldwide personally welcome those going through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process during this special service held at the beginning of Lent. The rite was held at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers on Saturday, Feb. 20 and Christ the King Church in Little Rock on Sunday, Feb. 21. Rites scheduled at Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro and St. Edward Church in Texarkana ... More
Diocese closes Feb. 16-19 due to weather
The offices of the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock are closed to the public Feb. 16-19. The Inclement Weather Policy is in effect for diocesan staff. The Ash Wednesday Mass to be celebrated at St. John Catholic Center was canceled. It was scheduled to be celebrated by Bishop Anthony B. Taylor at noon, Feb. 17, and would have included the distribution of ashes. Find a Mass to watch online using this list of parishes offering Mass via livestream. To reach a member of our staff, visit our staff directory and click on the name of the person you wish to reach to send ... More
CRS Rice Bowl donations can be lifesaving
If you aren't able to pick up your CRS Rice Bowl at church this week, you can order one online. This almsgiving project encourages participants to perform a simple sacrifice by substituting a low-cost meatless meal for a more expensive one, and putting the money saved in their cardboard "rice bowl" throughout the season of Lent. As we continue to struggle through a global pandemic, it may be more important than ever to help our neighbors in need. COVID-19 has dramatically increased unemployment and hunger worldwide, so rice bowl donations may be lifesaving for communities ... More
Lenten 40 Days for Life goes to March 28
The Lenten campaign of 40 Days for Life is being held outside the Planned Parenthood clinic at 1501 Aldersgate Road in Little Rock, a place where chemical abortions take place. The Little Rock prayer vigil was supposed to begin on Ash Wednesday, but was canceled because of winter weather. Prayer warriors are invited to pray outside the clinic from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through March 28. The international 40 Days for Life ministry highlights prayer, fasting and a peaceful, prayer vigil outside an abortion facility to pray for an end to abortion. For details about the Little Rock ... More
Mardi Gras began as preparation for Lent
When most Americans think of Mardi Gras, which is French for "Fat Tuesday," the huge party in New Orleans comes to mind. Despite how secular the celebration has become, it still ends strictly at midnight because the basis of the event is Christian. It is held on the last day to overindulge before the solemn season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, a day of fast and abstinence. Historically, the rules for fasting and abstinence were much more restrictive. Catholic Culture explained that during Advent, known as the "little lent," Catholics fasted almost as much ... More
Diocese closes Feb. 11 because of weather
The offices of the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock are closed to the public on Thursday, Feb. 11. The Inclement Weather Policy is in effect for diocesan staff. To reach a member of our staff, visit our staff directory and click on the name of the person you wish to reach to send an e-mail. Leave a phone message by calling (501) 664-0340. He or she will respond when the offices reopen. Thank you for your patience. For information about Catholic ministries and programs, please visit our ministry directory for a list of programs statewide. To contact a diocesan ministry ... More
Ashes to be sprinkled over head this year
Ash Wednesday begins our Lenten journey toward the celebration of Easter. Though it is not a holy day of obligation, it is a day of fast and abstinence. Normally, we are marked with ashes, in the form of a cross, on our forehead. However, this year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vatican has asked that ashes be sprinkled over our heads instead. In it's "Distribution of Ashes in Time of Pandemic," the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, described how priests should bless the ashes to be distributed with holy water silently at the altar and then address ... More
