Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
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The following offers the latest information about events and activities happening in the Diocese of Little Rock.
The Faith Formation Office recently created a new process for adults who teach the Catholic faith in Arkansas parishes and schools to become certified as a catechist. The 20-lesson, free online program offers video instruction presented by Arkansas priests, religious and laity at Learn.DOLR.org. When completed, the Diocese of Little Rock Catechist Certification Course provides basic certification for one academic year to Catholic school teachers, directors of religious education, catechists, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults coordinators and team members, parish ... More
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments, March 13, 2023, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Effective May 29: Msgr. Jack D. Harris appointed from pastor to associate pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Morrilton and St. Elizabeth Church in Oppelo. He remains pastor of St. Joseph Church in Center Ridge and minister of Catholic Campus Ministry in Conway; Rev. Stephen Hart appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Morrilton and St. Elizabeth Church in Oppelo. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Lake Village, Holy Cross ... More
The Women's Religious Discernment Retreat returns in 2023 after being canceled in 2022 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be held April 21-22 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. Single women ages 17 to 35 who want to learn about and discern a vocation to the religious life are welcome to attend. This free event provides insight into a vocation to religious life as it is lived through the religious in the Diocese of Little Rock. It is an invitation for participants to open their hearts to learn to which vocation the Lord is calling them. Retreat participants will learn the ... More
Catholic Charities of Arkansas (CCA) is hosting a four-day Faith Community Nursing Foundations Course this spring at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. It is open to licensed, registered nurses who want to practice holistic health for individuals and the community using nursing knowledge combined with spiritual care. The four-day course will be held April 21-22 and May 5-6 in the Biltz Room in Morris Hall. Catholic parishes that want to start a faith community nursing ministry are encouraged to send at least one representative to the training. Attendance at all four sessions ... More
Every February, Arkansas Catholic publishes the Diocese of Little Rock’s financial report to give readers information and insight into the diocese’s financial status. The audit covers the financial reports from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022. In his letter that accompanies the report, Bishop Anthony Taylor wrote, "Most of our income comes from donations, program fees, bequests, parish assessments, grants and earnings from investments. Catholics all across our state support us to ensure the diocese is financially sound. Without this money, we would be unable to operate ... More
The sacrament of reconciliation is readily available during Lent for Catholics in the Diocese of Little Rock. In addition to regular confession times, some parishes will host penance services through March 30. Reconciliation gives Catholics the opportunity for spiritual renewal within the Christian life. The Lenten penance services (not including each parish’s regular confession times) are scheduled as follows: Barling: Sacred Heart of Mary, Feb. 28, 6 p.m.; Bella Vista: St. Bernard, March 1, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Benton: Our Lady of Fatima, March 16, 6 p.m.; Berryville: St. Anne, March 8, 5 p.m. ... More
As the season of Lent begins, it is helpful to recall the discipline of the Church with regard to fasting, abstinence and other forms of penance. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting and abstinence where Catholics begin and end Lent penitentially. The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence in the United States. The law of fasting allows one full meal and two smaller ones that do not together equal one full meal. Those that are fasting have the opportunity to practice self-control and to detach from worldly desires. All between the ages of 18-59 are obliged to fast. ... More
Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important days in the liturgical year. It is trademarked by the ashes borne by the faithful after attending a Mass that day. This year it takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Ashes are distributed by a priest, deacon or lay minister in a cross shape on the forehead so people outside of the Church's walls can be reminded of Christ's humility and love. Palms that were given out at the previous year's Palm Sunday Mass are burned to create the ashes. Ash Wednesday is an opportunity for a virtuous start to Lent. It comes from ancient Church Tradition ... More