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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.
2019 Bible Institute about Jesus' parables
“Surprise, Shock and Gospel: Re-Interpreting the Parables of Jesus” is the theme of the 2019 Bible Institute June 21-23 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. Father George Smiga, STD, will be the keynote speaker. This nationally known author and lecturer in Scripture and homiletics is a priest of the Diocese of Cleveland. He is on the faculty of St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe, Ohio and writes a monthly column for Living With Christ and contributes regularly to Give Us This Day. His website is buildingontheword.org. ... More
Bishop releases pastoral changes April 26
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments Friday, April 26, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Effective Feb. 27: Rev. John C. Wakube excardinated from the Apostles of Jesus and incardinated into the Diocese of Little Rock. He remains pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock. Effective June 12: Rev. George Sanders appointed pastor of the Church of St. John the Baptist in Hot Springs. He remains chaplain of St. Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Mary ... More
Msgr. John O’Donnell, 91, dies April 20
Msgr. Francis I. Malone, chancellor for ecclesial affairs, addressed the following letter to Diocese of Little Rock deacons and staff regarding the death of Msgr. John O’Donnell on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. "With faith in eternal life, I announce the death of Monsignor John O’Donnell. He entered eternal life on Saturday, April 20, 2019, in Little Rock, Arkansas. A native of Philadelphia, he was born on Jan. 29, 1928, and educated in the Catholic schools in the archdiocese there. He entered St. John Home Mission Seminary, Little Rock in 1946, and was ordained to the priesthood ... More
New Catholics say why they joined Church
Catholic parishes across the Diocese of Little Rock welcomed 583 new Catholics into the Church during Easter Vigil Masses Saturday, April 20. They participated in their parish's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process and fell into two groups: the elect and candidates. The elect had not been baptized or formed in the Christian faith and life. During the Easter Vigil, they were baptized, confirmed and receive their first Communion. Candidates were already baptized members of other Christian churches who wished to become Catholic. During the Easter Vigil, ... More
Additional pastoral changes for March, May
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments Friday, March 1 and Monday, March 4, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Effective March 7: Rev. Ravi Rayappa Gudipalli, a priest of the Diocese of Nellore, India, appointed pastor of the Church of St. John the Baptist in Hot Springs. Effective May 7: Rev. Arokiasamy Madhichetty Irudayaraj, a priest of the Diocese of Nellore, India, appointed pastor of St. Mary Church in Arkadelphia, Good Shepherd Church in Fordyce and St. John the Baptist Church in Malvern. ... More
Bishop to make pastoral changes March 1
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments Friday, Feb. 22, for the Diocese of Little Rock: Effective March 1: Rev. Robert Cigainero begins a leave of absence from his priestly responsibilities; Msgr. David LeSieur relieved of his responsibilities as director of continuing education of the clergy and minster for priests. He remains pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers; Rev. Erik Pohlmeier appointed director of continuing education of the clergy. He remains diocesan director of faith formation; Msgr. Scott Friend, VG, appointed minister to priests. ... More
Bishop updates clergy disclosure list
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor released the following update, Feb. 8, 2019, following the conclusion of Kinsale Management Consulting’s independent review of clergy personnel files and the diocese’s ongoing internal file review. "Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: On September 10 of last year I wrote you about the steps we are taking to address the clergy sexual abuse crisis in Arkansas. I disclosed the names of 12 priests and former priests against whom credible allegations had been received in the last 70 years. I also announced that an independent review of our clergy files ..." ... More
Griswold, former employee, died Feb. 1
Dianna Lynne Griswold, who worked at the Diocese of Little Rock for 23 years, died Feb. 1. She was 62. She was born to Max and Lena Peoples Griswold. She attended the University of Memphis. Before working at the diocese, she was a transportation specialist at Cleo Inc. At the diocese, she worked most recently as a database administrator in the development office. She previously served as the manager of St. John Catholic Center and worked in the youth office and tribunal. A member of St. Theresa Church in Little Rock, she retired in December 2017. ... More
