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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.
Discover mercy at 2024 Weekend for Life
High school youth are invited to attend the 2024 Weekend for Life Jan. 20-21 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 Mass for Life in Little Rock. This year marks the 51st 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 to abortion. Weekend for Life ... More
First Thanksgiving began with the Mass
Thanksgiving, as an American holiday, traces its roots back to 1621 when Gov. Bradford of the Plymouth colony called for a day of public praise and prayer to celebrate the first harvest. But the very first Thanksgiving on American soil took place much earlier; 56 years earlier to be exact, and the highlight of the occasion was a Catholic Mass. The first thing Spanish settlers did when they arrived safely in St. Augustine, Fla., was celebrate Mass in thanksgiving to God on Sept. 8, 1565. "After the Mass, Father Francisco Lopez, the chaplain of the Spanish ships and the first pastor of St. Augustine ... More
Adopting a child is a great work of love
Many in our culture have a negative view of adoption, but St. Pope John Paul II, in an address to adoptive families in the year 2000, made it clear that creating a family through adoption "is in no way inferior to one based on a biological connection. ... Adopting children, regarding and treating them as one's own children, means recognizing that the relationship between parents and children is not measured only by genetic standards. Procreative love is first and foremost a gift of self. There is a form of 'procreation,' which occurs through acceptance, concern and devotion," he explained. ... More
Embrace the Catholic roots of Halloween
Did you know trick-or-treating is Catholic in origin? That is also true for dressing up in costumes and making a jack-o-lantern. If this surprises you, you are not alone. The practice of Halloween has been separated from its Christian roots in the modern world. As a result, some associate Halloween with zombies, vampires, ghosts and the occult. It is especially bad this time of year when we are inundated with disturbing images of darkness and death, leaving Christians to worry if it is wrong to participate in Halloween. Father Steve Grunow, CEO of Word on Fire, explains that Halloween ... More
12 students in spiritual direction formation
After a seven-year absence, the Diocese of Little Rock resumed its School of Spiritual Direction this fall. Twelve students from parishes across Arkansas began taking bilingual classes in September at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. The weekend classes will be offered monthly through May as part of the three-year program. Father Daniel Velasco, pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock, was named director of spiritual direction formation in July 2022. According to Arkansas Catholic, he said the purpose of this program is to help people “grow their relationship with ... More
Professional Day: Teachers to be salt, light
The 86th annual Arkansas Catholic Schools Professional Day was held Friday, Sept. 29 at Christ the King School in Little Rock. This year's theme was: “Called to be Salt and Light.” Father Juan Guido, pastor of Christ the King, celebrated Mass at 9 a.m. Twelve priests from across the Diocese of Little Rock concelebrated the Mass assisted by Deacons Danny Hartnedy and Jason Pohlmeier. Catholic speaker Caitie Cataldo delivered the keynote presentation, "Transformed as a Teacher in Christ." Cataldo holds a bachelor's degree in pastoral theology from Marian University. ... More
Order your 2024 diocesan directory today
The 2024 Catholic Diocese of Little Rock Directory is now in stock. The gloss-cover softbound directory is the only source for exclusive, updated contact information for every priest, religious and deacon in Arkansas. It also includes information on every parish, school and diocesan office as well as details on Catholic ministries and organizations, hospitals and much more. Directories are $15 each and are available for immediate shipment. Shipping is free. Download the order form and return it with payment to the address provided. For more information, email Mark Brasfield ... 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
