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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.
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
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
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
St. Valentine's example teaches us to love
Showering those we love with cards, candy and roses are popular ways to celebrate St. Valentine's Day in the United States. This tradition seems to come from a belief in England and France during the Middle Ages that birds begin to pair on Feb. 14, which just happens to be the feast day of St. Valentine, according to the Catholic Education Resource Center. The connection of romantic love to the Catholic saint can be traced back to Geoffrey Chaucer's Old English poem: "Parliament of Foules." In it he wrote, “For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day, / Whan every foul ... More
English Pre-Cana to be virtual through June
Are you planning to get married in a Catholic church in Arkansas? If so, find out what you need to do by reading the Getting Married Guide. Because marriage is lifelong, the Church wants to help you build a strong, lasting marriage. For this reason, couples seeking marriage in the Catholic Church are asked to spend several months in marriage preparation. It is so important, that all couples are required to fulfill an educational program to marry in the Diocese of Little Rock. Options include: Pre-Cana Day, the Sponsor Couple program or some other diocesan-approved ... More
English Convalidation Day to be virtual
Convalidation classes are offered for couples who are married civilly (outside the Catholic Church) and wish to have a sacramental marriage within the Church. The Church requires that a baptized Roman Catholic marry before a priest or deacon unless he or she received a dispensation (permission) from the Church beforehand. When a Catholic does not observe this requirement and marries outside the Church, his or her marriage is not recognized by the Church. Couples who wish to have their civil marriage convalidated (recognized) are asked to attend a special marriage preparation ... More
Observe National Marriage Week Feb. 7-14
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops partners with other organizations to promote National Marriage Week each year to help build "a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family." It is always held Feb. 7-14. The 2021 theme is: “To Have, To Hold, To Honor.” World Marriage Day, held on the second Sunday of February, is part of this observance. This year, it falls on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14. World Marriage Day "honors husband and wife as the foundation of the family — the basic unit of society. It salutes the beauty of their faithfulness ... More
