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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.
Watch Bishop-elect Pohlmeier ordination
Bishop-elect Erik Pohlmeier will be ordained and installed the 11th bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine in Florida at 1 p.m. (central time) Friday, July 22 at St. Joseph Church in Jacksonville, Fla. The episcopal ordination will be livestreamed on the Diocese of St. Augustine's Facebook page and YouTube channel. All are welcome to watch it live online. Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami will be the principal consecrator. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor of Little Rock and Bishop Felipe J. Estévez, retiring bishop of St. Augustine, will be co-consecrators. ... More
Pastoral appointments announced July 20
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments, July 20, 2022, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Effective Aug. 15: Rev. Gregory Pilcher, OSB, relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Scholastica Church in New Blaine to return to monastic life at Subiaco Abbey; and Rev. Mark Stengel, OSB, appointed pastor of St. Scholastica Church in New Blaine. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as pastor of St. Benedict Church in Subiaco. ... More
Father Ernest Hardesty, 73, dies July 10
Father Gregory Luyet, judicial vicar, released the following letter regarding the death of Father Ernest “Ernie” Hardesty on Sunday, July 10, 2022. Read his obituary in Arkansas Catholic to find a detailed list of parishes and ministries where he served in his 47 years of priestly ministry in the Diocese of Little Rock: "Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, With faith in the resurrection of the dead and the hope of eternal life, I announce that Father Ernest 'Ernie' Hardesty died this morning, July 10, 2022, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Hospital (UAMS) in Little Rock. ... More
Get tickets now for episocopal ordination
The deadline to request tickets to attend the episocopal ordination Mass of Bishop-elect Erik Pohlmeier has been extended to July 10 or until they are gone. Previously it was June 24. The Little Rock pastor and diocesan faith formation director will be ordained Friday, July 22 at St. Joseph Church in Jacksonville, Fla. Attendees can also choose to ride on a chartered bus from Little Rock and stay in a hotel room block secured by the Diocese of Little Rock. Tickets for those making their own travel arrangements will be mailed to them. For those riding the bus, tickets will be ... More
2022 jubilarian priest Mass to be June 28
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving Tuesday, June 28 to honor four priests who are celebrating 25, 50 and 60 years of priestly service in the Diocese of Little Rock. It will be held at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock at 5:30 p.m., followed by a dinner reception in McDonald Hall. The public is invited to attend the Mass and dinner. Reservations are not required. Jubilarians are Father Henry Bordeaux, OCD, 60 years; Father Mark Stengel, OSB, 50 years; and Fathers Peter Le-Thanh Quang and Polycarp Ssebbowa, 25 years. Father Bordeaux will not be ... More
Read diocese's Synod on Synodality report
The following report, "Synod on Synodality Synthesis for Diocese of Little Rock," was submitted to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, May 16, 2022, to be included in the final report in preparation for the Synod on Synodality in 2023. Through listening sessions on the diocesan and parish levels, parishioners and others connected or formerly connected to the Church were asked to share their thoughts on the Church. The goal of the sessions was to truly hear concerns the faithful believe are facing the Church and what challenges they are experiencing in their family ... More
Arkansas eucharistic revival begins June 18
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will begin the Diocese of Little Rock's observance of the National Eucharistic Revival by celebrating an opening Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, June 18, on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Father John Connell, VG, will celebrate a second opening Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers at 5 p.m. on the same day to allow more people to participate from our statewide diocese. For those unable to attend in person, the bishop will deliver a recorded video/audio homily at all ... More
Eucharist is not a symbol: It really is Jesus
Historically known by its Latin name, Corpus Christi, this feast day highlights the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, — Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. The word "Eucharist" means "thanksgiving." It comes from the Greek "eucharistein" and "eulogein," which "recalls the Jewish blessings that proclaim — especially during a meal — God's works: creation, redemption and sanctification." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1328) On the night before he died, Jesus shared one last meal with his Apostles. During this Last Supper, "he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it ... More
