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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.
Statement about Br. Ambrose Fryer, OSB
Abbot Elijah Owens, OSB, of Subiaco Abbey, released the following statement on Feb. 23, 2024, regarding the removal of Brother Ambrose Fryer, OSB, (“John Thomas Fryer”) from active ministry as a monk of Subiaco Abbey. "Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, As the abbot of Subiaco, I am coming to you with some unfortunate news: I have removed Brother Ambrose Fryer (photo) from active ministry as a monk of Subiaco Abbey. 'John Thomas Fryer' was born in 1972 and lived most of his life in the state of Louisiana where he entered as a seminarian with the Diocese ... More
Arkansas Catholic: It is your newspaper
What are you missing out on by not subscribing and reading Arkansas Catholic? The award-winning weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Little Rock offers complete print and digital subscriptions. The print edition is delivered to your mailbox every week. Subscriptions are only $32 a year ($30 for seniors). Pick up a subscription envelope in the pews, visit arkansas-catholic.org or call (501) 664-0125. Or you can get the FREE Arkansas Catholic Digital the same day it’s published on your computer and most smart devices. Postal delays are no longer a problem. ... More
Stations of Cross help with why of suffering
From the earliest days of Christianity, pilgrims have journeyed to Jerusalem to walk in the footsteps of Christ's passion on the road to Calvary. Tradition holds that Mary, the mother of Jesus, herself led by example in making daily visits to the sites of her Son's sufferings, death and resurrection following his ascension into heaven. More than 2,000 years later, Christians are still meditating on his crucifixion through what has come to be known as the Stations of the Cross. Also called the "Way of the Cross" or "Via Crucis" this private devotion has consisted of 14 stations, taken both from ... More
English Cursillo weekends return in 2024
For the first time in more than seven years, Cursillo weekends in English were held for men and women in the Diocese of Little Rock. A men's weekend was hosted in January and a women's weekend was offered in February. Deacon Rob Brothers, spiritual director, said the next weekends will be offered in 2025. Visit our calendar for dates and contact information. Cursillo (pronounced kur-see-yo) is a Spanish word meaning "little" or "short course." Cursillos de Cristiandad (short courses of Christianity) is an international, lay movement of the Catholic Church developed in Spain ... More
Bishop addresses state abortion petition
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor addressed the following statement, Feb. 12, 2024, to the people of the Diocese of Little Rock regarding an abortion petition being circulated in Arkansas. "A petition is currently being circulated in Arkansas to place an amendment on our November 2024 voting ballots that would change our state constitution to allow abortions until 18 weeks after conception. As bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock, I urge all Catholics and all people of good will not to sign this petition. During this campaign to enshrine abortion in our constitution, we expect that our media will be ... More
Pray at Lenten 40 Days for Life to March 24
"Only with prayer — prayer that storms the heavens for justice and mercy, prayer that cleanses our hearts and our souls — will the culture of death that surrounds us today be replaced with a culture of life." — Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities: A Campaign in Support of Life, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops... More
Ash Wednesday overrides Valentine's Day
Ash Wednesday, one of the most popular and important days in the liturgical year, begins the season of Lent. On this day, Catholics are marked with ashes, in the form of a cross, on their heads during special Masses worldwide. The ashes and the whole season of Lent are a time to refocus on our relationship with God. This year, Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine's Day, a day typically celebrated with special feasts, candy and parties, a kind of overindulgence that directly conflicts with the rules of fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday. So what's a Catholic to do? ... 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
