Official Website of the
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.
Four rites of election to be held in 2023
The Church experiences great joy in welcoming new catechumens and candidates at the Easter Vigil. A part of this process is the yearly Rite of Election, which takes place the first two weeks of Lent. During the Rite of Election, the bishop declares catechumens ready to receive the sacraments of initiation, which are baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist. Through this process, they become known as the “elect.” At the same time, he calls candidates to continuing conversion as they prepare to be confirmed and receive first Communion. Catechumens are those who ... More
World Marriage Day is Sunday, Feb. 12
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops partners with other organizations to promote World Marriage Day each year on the second Sunday of February. This year's observance is on Sunday, Feb. 12 as a part of National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14). 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, sacrifice and joy in daily married life" according to its sponsor Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME). Consider the gift of time to strengthen your marriage this Valentine's Day, which can be far ... More
Diocesan offices to reopen at noon, Feb. 2
The offices of the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock will reopen Thursday, Feb. 2 at noon, and will return to regular office hours, 8:30 to 5 p.m., by Friday, Feb. 3. The campus was closed Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 because of a winter storm. The Inclement Weather Policy was in effect for diocesan staff, and continues for those unable to safety return on Thursday, Feb. 2. To reach a member of our staff, visit our staff directory, which is listed in alphabetical order. Look for the name of the person you wish to reach ... More
Diocesan offices closed Wednesday, Feb. 1
The offices of the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock will again be closed to the public, Wednesday, Feb. 1, because of a winter storm. The Inclement Weather Policy is in effect for diocesan staff. To reach a member of our staff, visit our staff directory, which is listed in alphabetical order. Look for the name of the person you wish to reach and click on the red button under his or her name to send an email. Or leave a phone message by calling (501) 664-0340. He or she will respond as soon as possible. Thank you for ... More
Pastoral appointments announced Jan. 28
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments, Jan. 27-28, 2023, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Effective Jan. 26: Rev. Irudaya Raj Nalazala Augustine, a priest of the Diocese of Nellore, India, appointed associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Conway, St. Boniface Church in Bigelow (New Dixie) and St. Oscar Romero Catholic Community in Greenbrier; Rev. Divya Nathan Paulin Raj Vatakali, a priest of the Diocese of Nellore, India, appointed associate pastor of the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock; Rev. Manikyaraju Kotha, a priest of the Diocese of Nellore ... More
Diocesan offices closed Tuesday, Jan. 31
The offices of the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock are closed to the public Tuesday, Jan. 31, because of a winter storm. The Inclement Weather Policy is in effect for diocesan staff. To reach a member of our staff, visit our staff directory, which is listed in alphabetical order. Look for the name of the person you wish to reach and click on the red button under his or her name to send an email. Or leave a phone message by calling (501) 664-0340. He or she will respond as soon as possible. ... More
Candlemas symbolizes the light of Christ
The Church celebrates the feast of the Presentation of the Lord 40 days after the birth of Jesus. Before 1969, the feast was known as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or Candlemas. It was celebrated in the earliest times in the Church in Jerusalem and from there the observance spread throughout the Christian world. According to the law of Moses, a woman was ritually unclean for 40 days after childbirth. Therefore, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple to present him to the Lord and offer sacrifice for purification. "... just as it is written in the law of the Lord, 'Every male that ... More
Celebrate life, mourn those lost Jan. 19-27
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will lead the Diocese of Little Rock in its annual Eucharistic Procession for Life and Mass for Life Sunday, Jan. 22 in Little Rock to celebrate the gift of life, the human dignity of every person and remember the millions of babies lost to abortion since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized it throughout the United States in 1973. Last year, the Supreme Court overturned its Roe v. Wade decision, sending the issue of abortion back to the states. In 2019, Arkansas legislators passed a “trigger law,” which would put forth a total ban on abortion if Roe v. Wade ... More
