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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.
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
Vote for Lumen Christi nominee now
Cackie Upchurch, director of Little Rock Scripture Study, was nominated by Bishop Anthony B. Taylor for the 2016 Lumen Christi Award. This award, presented by Catholic Extension, recognizes an individual or group working in one of America's mission dioceses who demonstrates how faith can transform lives and communities. Past honorees of the Lumen Christi Award, which is Latin for "Light of Christ," have included priests, religious and lay leaders nationwide since 1978. Msgr. Scott Friend, vicar general and director of vocations and seminarians, won the award in 2007. ... 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
Youth convention to feature Mark Hart
The 66th annual Diocese of Little Rock Catholic Youth Convention will be held May 6-8 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Little Rock. This year's featured speaker is "Bible Geek" Mark Hart, a nationally known speaker, SiriusXM satellite radio host for the Catholic Channel and executive vice president of Life Teen International. He will speak to the theme: "Courage Means We Refuse to be Mastered by Fear." In addition to the keynote speaker, the conference will include skits, praise and worship music, prayer, workshops, small group discussion, Mass, a dinner banquet and dance. ... 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
Seminarians take steps toward ordination
Seven seminarians from the Diocese of Little Rock took steps toward their ordinations recently. Six made their deacon promises at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Indiana. They are: Michael Johns of Jonesboro; Martin Siebold of North Little Rock; Luke Womack of Hot Springs; William Burmester of Conway; and Stephen Hart and Ramses Mendieta of Little Rock. The special Mass was celebrated March 3 in the school’s St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel. From May 18 to June 2, all six men will be ordained transitional deacons in their home parishes in Arkansas. ... More
Help spread God's mercy in diocese
The 2016 Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal (CASA) begins Feb. 6-7 in parishes across Arkansas. A recorded homily from Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will be played at all Masses in English and Spanish and pledge envelopes will be handed out asking parishioners to meet this year's $2 million goal. CASA supports various diocesan, parish and school ministries. This year's theme focuses on the extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, which continues through Nov. 20. "This is the first jubilee in history in which holy doors are to be opened in all dioceses, not just in Rome. Ours is at Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Little Rock. Access to our holy door is available every day, but starting this weekend, the first Saturday of every month ... More
