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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.
Bishop lifts Good Friday fasting for laborers
"We have all been shocked and saddened by the loss of life and property devastation caused by the recent tornadoes and severe weather in central Arkansas, Wynne and other parts of our beloved state. In the face of adversity, Arkansans have banded together to support those who have lost so much. As you know, Good Friday is a day of both fasting (two small meals, one regular meal, with no food/nutrition in between) and abstinence (no meat). Because so many people will be engaged in manual labor this Good Friday as part of tornado relief efforts, and because the obligation ... More
Support tornado relief efforts in Arkansas
"Friday, March 31 is a day we will remember for a long time. The tornadoes that swept across our state that afternoon and evening left behind a path of destruction that shocked us. Lives were lost that we mourn. Others were injured for whom we pray to the Lord for healing. And there are all the neighborhoods and communities that were crushed in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, Jacksonville, Cabot and Wynne. Together we face a long recovery process, which is why we will be taking up a collection in all our parishes the weekend of April 15-16 for Catholic Charities ... More
Adoption office helping search, reunions
Antje Harris, director of Catholic Adoption Services for more than 36 years, transitioned from working full-time to part-time starting Nov. 1. The agency’s focus is now on providing post-adoption support and assisting with search and reunions for clients who have worked with the agency. Adoptees have a right to their truth and their story, Harris said. “There is often a deep need to know more whether it is expressed or not,” she said. “Some adoptees are concerned that they will hurt their adoptive parents’ feelings by doing a search. Hopefully, the parents ... More
Outreach lives out the Gospel in parishes
Parish outreach for Catholic Charities of Arkansas works with parish-based ministries to provide ways to live out the Church’s social teachings. At the helm is Sister Iliana Aponte, DC, parish outreach liaison for Catholic Charities. Sister Iliana’s ministry is rooted in the Gospel and Catholic social teaching, which calls all people to recognize the fundamental dignity of every human life from conception to natural death. She is a member of the Daughters of Charity and a licensed social worker. Her work with parishes centers on developing ministries ... More
CCA staff serving 22 Afghan, Syrian families
More than a year into assisting 22 families from Afghanistan and Syria, the Refugee Resettlement Program in central Arkansas is continuing to help them resolve issues they are dealing with. In the fall of 2021, Catholic Charities of Arkansas welcomed and helped resettle 88 people. Catholic parishes and other Little Rock area churches formed teams of volunteers to sponsor these families. Today, the sponsor teams are still doing the work of helping these Afghan families start a new life in Arkansas. Catholic Charities of Arkansas and the sponsor teams ... More
New catechist training online, enroll now
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
Women's religious retreat returns in 2023
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
Faith Community Nursing training available
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
