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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.
Ministry helps gang members start anew
Fuerza Transformadora (Transforming Force) is a Catholic movement that was founded in 2006 by Jaime Torres, a former gang leader, to reach people who are struggling with drug and alcohol addictions, gang life and violence and help them learn about God and change their lives. Torres joined the staff of the Diocese of Little Rock in 2010 and currently serves as associate director of the Office of Faith Formation, where he coordinates this ministry, which has grown to include programs in Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee and Illinois. In November 2014, Catholic Extension in Chicago ... More
Visit door of mercy during jubilee year
Pope Francis asked that every diocese in the world have a door of mercy during the Year of Mercy to be "a place of pilgrimage and spiritual renewal for the faithful." In the Diocese of Little Rock, the official door of mercy is located at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Little Rock. The faithful are invited to make a pilgrimage to the diocesan door of mercy during the jubilee year, which ends Nov. 20. Ten special pilgrimage events are scheduled on the first Saturday of each month through November. To learn more, visit our Calendar of Events. The first one was ... More
To our new Catholics: Welcome!
Catholic parishes across Arkansas welcomed 665 new Catholics into the Church during Easter Vigil Masses March 26. They participated in their parish's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process. Those who had never been baptized received all three sacraments of initiation — baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. Those who had been baptized in another Christian church made their profession of faith in the Catholic Church, were confirmed and received their first Communion. The list of all who entered the Church in Arkansas can be found in the March 26 issue ... More
Bishop announces pastoral appointments
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments for the Diocese of Little Rock on Friday, April 1 and April 6, 2016: Effective May 22 — Rev. Aaron Pirrera, OSB, relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Benedict Church in Subiaco to return to Subiaco Abbey; Rev. Mark Stengel, OSB, appointed pastor of St. Benedict Church in Subiaco. This is in addition to his responsibilities in Subiaco Abbey; Effective May 25 — Rev. Frank V. DuPreez relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Joseph Church in Pine Bluff; Holy Cross Church in Sheridan and St. Mary Church in Plum Bayou, to cover St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Fayetteville ... More
Safe environment changes now effective
Changes to improve and simplify the Diocese of Little Rock’s Safe Environment Program became effective March 1. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor explained the changes in his Decree of Changes to Safe Environment Policies and Procedures for all diocesan, school and parish employees and volunteers, when it was issued in February. The policies, which were put in place in 2002 after the U.S. Catholic bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, were re-evaluated under the direction of Matt Glover, chancellor for canonical affairs. ... More
Share your Lenten recipes by Feb. 3
Fasting and abstaining during Lent present both an opportunity for devotion and a dietary challenge, especially for family meals. Arkansas Catholic’s annual Lenten section will share recipes from readers to help meet that challenge. Please send us your best recipes for the following: vegetarian meals; and family traditional Lenten foods. Send recipes to Malea Hargett, Arkansas Catholic, P.O. Box 7417, Little Rock AR 72217. To consider your recipe for publication, it must be submitted by Feb. 3. Lent begins Feb. 10. To help you prepare for this holy season of prayer, fasting ... More
Religious educators honored for service
Two parish religious educators were honored during the annual Parish Catechetical Leaders' Banquet and Retreat at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock on Jan. 15-16. Belinda Ortner, director of religious education and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults coordinator for St.... More
Collection to be taken up for flood victims
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced a one-time, special collection to be taken up in all parishes in Arkansas Jan. 9-10 or Jan. 16-17 for victims of recent natural disasters. This collection is part of a nationwide effort to assist those affected by flooding and storms that began in December and continue to cause damage. In a letter to be read at all Masses, the bishop wrote, "Your contributions will assist Catholic Charities USA, the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church, and its member agencies, including our own Catholic Charities of Arkansas ... More
