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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.
Mary, Joseph seek shelter in Las Posadas
Las Posadas, which means "the inns" or "the shelters" in Spanish, is a 400 year old Advent tradition in Spanish-speaking countries, particularly Mexico. This novena takes place from Dec. 16-24 and focuses on the struggle of Mary and Joseph to find shelter when they arrive in Bethlehem. Catholic parishes and schools in Arkansas host this novena during Advent. Although some have adapted the tradition for their community, generally, this is how it is practiced. Adults and children take part in an evening procession, with two people dressed as Mary and Joseph, ... More
Share the light of Christ on St. Lucia Day
We celebrate lots of incredible saints during the season of Advent. One of the lesser-known saints, at least in the United States, is St. Lucy, whose feast is celebrated on Dec. 13. This virgin martyr is believed to have died for her faith in the year 304 in Sicily, during the persecutions of Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruled from 284-305. Not much is known for certain about St. Lucy, but she is among the few female saints listed in the canon of the Mass. Legends about Lucy include a rejected suitor denouncing her as a Christian and miracles that saved her from life in a brothel, ... More
Immaculate Conception is a beautiful gift
Although we celebrate the Immaculate Conception during Advent, the season during which we prepare for the birth of Jesus, this feast is NOT about the conception of Jesus. This can be confusing because the Gospel reading for this holy day focuses on the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary. "The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.'" (Luke 1:30-31) The Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The "immaculate" is not a reference ... More
Awaken in mercy at 2023 Weekend for Life
High school youth are invited to attend the 2023 Weekend for Life Jan. 21-22 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Little Rock. This overnight event focuses on right-to-life issues from a youth perspective. It is held the night before the annual Eucharistic Procession for Life and Mass for Life in Little Rock. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision (now overturned) that legalized abortion in the United States in 1973. Participants are invited to celebrate the gift of life and the human dignity of every person and remember the millions of babies lost ... More
Add St. Nicholas Day to Advent traditions
Advent is full of traditions that can make this wonderful season of anticipation lots of fun for kids. At the top of the list is the feast of St. Nicholas on Dec. 6. One of the most popular ways to celebrate St. Nicholas Day is to leave your shoes outside your bedroom door or on the fireplace hearth on the night of Dec. 5 along with a plate of carrots for St. Nicholas' horse. And sometime during the night, St. Nicholas will visit and leave gifts in your shoes. What he gives may vary, but traditionally he gives gold coins or a candy cane to represent his crozier (staff carried by bishops ... More
Take care of retired religious on Dec. 3-4
The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held Dec. 3-4 in the Diocese of Little Rock. Coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO), the appeal benefits thousands of elderly Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests whose religious congregations lack adequate retirement funding. Please give to those who have given a lifetime. Last year, Catholics in Arkansas donated $168,241.97 to the collection. The Benedictines of Subiaco Abbey and the Discalced Carmelite nuns in Little Rock received a combined $107,756.96 in financial support ... More
Bishop responds to Arkansas synod report
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor prepared the following response, Dec. 3, 2022, about the Diocese of Little Rock synod report to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for the Synod on Synodality. "Here in Arkansas, we have spent the last year participating on the local level in the Synod on Synodality called for by Pope Francis, which will culminate in a meeting of bishops and other delegates from around the world to take place in Rome in October of 2023 and 2024. We have had meetings on the parish level throughout our state — all parishes were invited and 43% of our ... More
Say St. Andrew Christmas Novena in Advent
We celebrate the feast of St. Andrew, the apostle on Nov. 30. He is the first saint to be celebrated during Advent, which is the fitting since he was the first of the Twelve Apostles to be called by Jesus. Advent is a season of joy and anticipation for the coming of the Lord. St. Andrew's example of this in evident in the Scriptures. After St. John the Baptist pointed out the "Lamb of God," to two of his disciples, Andrew, one of the two, heard John and immediately followed Jesus. He later went to his brother, Simon, and exclaimed: "We have found the Messiah." (John 1:35-41) ... More
