Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
For best results, put specific keyword, title or phrase in quotes. (i.e. “Ash Wednesday”)
Happening Now
The following offers the latest information about events and activities happening in the Diocese of Little Rock.
Bishop Taylor to ordain seven in August
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will ordain five new transitional deacons and two new priests in one week in August for the Diocese of Little Rock. These ordinations are invitation only to safeguard against COVID-19. However, all will be livestreamed on the Arkansas Catholic Facebook page and the diocesan YouTube channel for anyone to watch online. Follow Arkansas Catholic on Facebook and/or subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications when the livestreams begin. These events were originally scheduled for May, but were postponed because of the COVID-19 ... More
Bishop releases pastoral changes July 15
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments July 15, 2020, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Effective Aug. 1, 2020: Rev. Siprianus Ola Rotok, SVD, relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Peter Church, St. Raphael Church in Pine Bluff and St. Justin Church in Star City to continue his ministry with the Society of the Divine Word outside of Arkansas; Rev. Eric Groner, SVD, a priest of the Society of the Divine Word, appointed pastor of St. Peter Church, St. Raphael Church in Pine Bluff and St. Justin Church in Star City. ... More
Bishop releases pastoral changes July 3
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments July 3, 2020, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Effective Sept. 1, 2020: Dcn. Daniel Velasco, appointed associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith and chaplain of Trinity Junior High School in Fort Smith following his ordination to the priesthood. He is relieved of his responsibilities as deacon of St. John Church in Russellville, St. Augustine Church in Dardanelle, and St. Andrew Church in Danville; Rev. Martín Amaro, appointed associate pastor of St. John Church in Russellville ... More
Bishop issues Black Lives Matter statement
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor issued the following statement to the people of the Diocese of Little Rock, July 2, 2020, about Black Lives Matter. "When I came to Sacred Heart Parish in Oklahoma City as pastor in 2003 the parish was 95 percent Hispanic and I inherited a weekend schedule with six Masses — three in English and three in Spanish. The Spanish Masses were packed, with people standing in the back, in the side aisles and at times even outside the front door of the church. The English Masses were less than half full even though they had the more desirable Sunday morning time slots. ... More
Adoption services continue in pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered our daily lives and the scope of our work at Catholic Adoption Services. Our hearts go out to all those who have fallen ill or have lost someone they loved to this terrible disease. We know that many others are suffering due to job loss, financial stress, separation from family and friends, educational challenges, child care problems, fears of what might come next and myriad other concerns. The Diocese of Little Rock made the difficult decision March 17 to close our doors to outside clients and visitors, but adoption services have continued. We appreciate the support ... More
400 families helped in COVID-19 pandemic
The coronavirus lockdown has restricted the person-to-person activities of Catholic Charities of Arkansas. We have treated the coronavirus impact on our parishes as we would a disaster. It is a disaster. In this context, each parish has addressed the particular circumstances in its own community. As usual, each parish has been a Catholic charity. Our main response has been to solicit applications from parishes for grants to respond to the immediate needs of the communities each parish serves. We have also been able to focus special assistance to groups and individuals brought ... More
Bishop releases pastoral changes June 18
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments June 18, 2020, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Effective June 22, 2020: Rev. Jerome Earley, OCD, assigned as superior of Marylake Monastery in Little Rock; Rev. Stephen Sanchez, OCD, Rev. Bonaventure Sauer, OCD, and Rev. Henry Bordeaux, OCD, assigned as conventuals of Marylake Monastery in Little Rock; Rev. Gregory Ross, OCD, and Rev. Sam Anthony Morello, OCD, to continue their ministry with the Discalced Carmelite Fathers outside of Arkansas. ... More
Eucharist: Jesus' body, blood, soul, divinity
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
