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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.
Father Edwin Graves, 84, died Oct. 6
Father Clarence “Ed” Edwin Graves, a diocesan priest for 33 years who was known for his love of art and music, died Oct. 6 in Little Rock. He was 84. Father Graves was born on Jan. 2, 1941, in Birmingham, Ala., to Clarence and Frances Graves. He had one sister, Judy Finley. He grew up in Jacksonville, Fla., before his family moved to Memphis. He earned a bachelor of fine arts in painting from the Memphis College of Arts and a master of fine arts in painting from the University of Mississippi in Oxford. His discernment of a vocation to the priesthood was nurtured in his family ... More
Pray the rosary to become more like Jesus
In addition to being Respect Life Month, October is also dedicated to the rosary primarily because the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated Oct. 7. Two years after Pope St. Pius V endorsed praying the rosary, he asked the faithful to pray the rosary and seek the intercession of the Blessed Mother during the Battle of Lepanto, off the coast of Greece in 1571. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Christian fleet prevailed on Oct. 7 and the Holy Father established the day as the feast of Our Lady of Victory. In 1573, Pope Gregory XIII changed the name of the feast ... More
St. Francis inspires care for all of creation
St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), patron saint of animals and ecology, is known for his love for God's creation. In his "Canticle of the Creatures," he reveals how all creation is connected in one family under God's loving care. His feast day is celebrated Oct. 4. In his 2015 papal encyclical, “Laudato Si’” (“Praise Be to You”), Pope Francis showed he has a lot in common with his namesake, by challenging all to care for God's creation. Last year, on St. Francis of Assisi's feast day, the Holy Father released “Laudate Deum” (“Praise God”), an apostolic exhortation to follow up ... More
Bishop condemns mass deportations
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor released the following statement on mass deportations to be read Oct. 3, 2025, in front of the ICE administration building in Washington, D.C., during a Pax Christi vigil. The vigil will be part of Pax Christi USA’s national council meeting. "So many troubles face our country at this moment, and it may feel as though divisions can be insurmountable. In the midst of all this, it can be easy to lose sight of those living in the shadows and peripheries of our society. And so, lest we forget, I write to share my spiritual closeness with our many immigrants ... More
Bishop urges unity after activist’s death
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor issued the following statement, titled "On Human Dignity, Political Violence and Rediscovering Our Common Human Bonds,” Sept. 16, 2025. "Given the events of the last several days in our country, it would be difficult for those following the news not to know of the recent horrific assassination and murder of Charlie Kirk — a Christian, a conservative political activist and a young husband and father to two young children. Even if, like me, you weren’t familiar with him before the events of this past week, most have witnessed the resultant anguish and division ... More
2025-26 formation days on evangelization
The 2025-26 Parish Catechist Formation Day will focus on learning how to grow as "Missionary Disciples through Evangelizing Catechesis" employing the method of evangelizing catechesis from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Institute on the Catechism. This event will be held in five parishes across the Diocese of Little Rock from September to May. It offers training to catechists, youth ministers, Christian initiation coordinators and other faith formation leaders in parishes and schools. Participants may attend the location of their choice in English or Spanish ... More
Mary's crown is the promise of our crown
In popular Catholic tradition, Mary's coronation is often reenacted during the month of Mary in May crownings. Typically children, usually those who recently received their first holy Communion, carry roses and place them at the feet of a statue of Mary while placing a crown of roses on top of Mary's head. There are also numerous songs, artworks and prayers depicting Mary's queenship. The feast of the queenship of Mary was established during the universal Year of Mary by Pope Pius XII in 1954. This followed his declaration that the assumption of Mary was a dogma of faith in 1950. ... More
Bishop requests special collection for Gaza
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor sent the following letter to priests, Aug. 13, 2025, asking them to take up a special collection in their parishes for the suffering people of Gaza and to pray for peace and an end to violence. "To the people of the Diocese of Little Rock: As you know from the news, the ongoing crisis in Gaza has left many people in desperate circumstances. Our Church mourns the terrible suffering of Christians and other innocent victims of violence in Gaza and surrounding areas. These people are struggling to survive, protect their children and live ... More
