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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.
Holy Saturday: Light overcomes darkness
On Holy Saturday, we gather for the climax of the Easter Triduum. "On this holy night, the Church keeps watch, celebrating the resurrection of Christ in the sacraments and awaiting his return in glory. It is the turning point of the triduum, the Passover of the new covenant, which marks Christ's passage from death to life." Known as the "mother of all vigils," the Easter Vigil Mass takes places after sundown and before daybreak, thus beginning and ending in darkness. This year it is March 31. Visit Arkansas Catholic to find an Easter Vigil Mass in your area. ... More
Good Friday was day the battle was won
On Good Friday, we fast, abstain and relive Jesus' suffering and death so we never forget God's unconditional love and desire for us to be saved. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." (John 3:16) This is the only day of the year we do not celebrate Mass. This sober service includes the Liturgy of the Word, general intercessions, veneration of the cross and reception of the Eucharist. This year it is March 30. Visit Arkansas Catholic to find a Good Friday service in your area. ... More
Westside clinic now in McDonald Center
In January, Westside Free Medical Clinic moved from Camp Aldersgate to The McDonald Center in Little Rock. It had been serving patients in the former location for the past 36 years. The McDonald Center, located on the campus of St. John Catholic Center, houses Catholic Charities of Arkansas, which includes the staff of Westside Free Medical Clinic. Previously, space for the clinic was not available but relocation of diocesan staff made it possible in recent years. Karen DiPippa, director of Westside Free Medical Clinic, told Arkansas Catholic some speciality services ... More
Bishop appeals for conscience protection
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor wrote the following letter, March 9, 2018, to the Arkansas delegation in Washington asking them to pass the Conscience Protection Act, which would protect doctors and nurses from being forced to assist with abortions. The letter reads: “I am contacting you to urge that the Conscience Protection Act (HR 644/S 301) be enacted into law as part of the final FY 2018 funding bill. “I realize that you understand the urgent need for Americans to be free from the government being able to force them to violate their deeply held convictions about the respect ... More
Need to renew DACA is urgent, agency says
Recent court decisions require the federal government to resume accepting applications to renew expiring Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) cases. Catholic Immigration Services in Little Rock and Springdale strongly encourages all DACA recipients to renew their Employment Authorization cards as soon as possible, if their DACA has expired or will expire within the next 150 days. This will allow recipients to keep work permits and to renew driver’s licenses for another two years. Because the future status of DACA is uncertain, the need to renew is urgent. ... More
Bishop appeals for regulations on firearms
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor delivered the following letter to the Arkansas delegation in Washington, Feb. 28, to ask them to support “reasonable, life-saving regulations on firearms” in response to the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, and other mass shootings. The letter reads: “I join the student survivors of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in urging you to do what Congress has been reluctant to do for too long. Now is the time to enact reasonable, life-saving regulations on firearms that include: a civilian ban on ... More
National Catholic Call-in Day is Feb. 26
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor is urging all Catholics to participate in the National Catholic Call-in Day for the Protection of Dreamers on Monday, Feb. 26. The U.S. Senate on Feb. 15 failed to pass three separate pieces of legislation that would have given a path to citizenship to 1.8 million undocumented immigrants, commonly called Dreamers. Please call Arkansas' U.S. Senators Tom Cotton and John Boozman, and your district's U.S. house representative to urge them to pass legislation to protect Dreamers from deportation. Call the senators through the Capitol switchboard ... More
Theology Institute comes to an end in June
Because of declining enrollment, Little Rock Theology Institute will close in June after 21 years of teaching Scripture, theology and philosophy to lay Catholics. Read about its history in Arkansas Catholic. This three-year academic program for adults in the Diocese of Little Rock has offered students an opportunity for personal enrichment, catechist certification and to earn a bachelor's degree in theology. The classes, which have been offered monthly, were taught by diocesan staff and professors from various Catholic colleges and universities at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. ... More
