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Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
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The following offers the latest information about events and activities happening in the Diocese of Little Rock.
The Diocese of Little Rock superintendent of Catholic schools and four Catholic school teachers were honored during the 81st annual Professional Day for Teachers at Christ the King School in Little Rock on Sept. 29. Superintendent Vernell Bowen was surprised with an award for her 25 years of service in Catholic education by associate superintendents Marguerite Olberts and Theresa Hall. She has served as superintendent for the past 16 years. Before that she was principal of St. Edward School in Little Rock for nine years. Bowen came to Catholic schools ... More
The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that angels are pure, spiritual beings who have been present since creation to glorify God without ceasing and serve as messengers of his saving plan for humanity. In addition, "from its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession." (nos. 330-350) Angel, which comes from the Latin "angelus" and the Greek "angelos," is a "messenger, envoy; one that announces." Archangels are one of the nine choirs of angels listed in the Bible. The hierarchy of angels ranked from lowest to highest fall ... More
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will celebrate a Mass to decommission the old Blessed Sacrament Church, located at 614 South Church St. in Jonesboro, on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. This will be the last Mass to be celebrated at this location because a new church is being built on a 20-acre site near the new Blessed Sacrament School on Highland Drive. Bishop Taylor blessed the new site during a groundbreaking ceremony March 19. The new 15,000-square-foot church will be located at 1105 E. Highland Dr. and is expected to be completed by September 2018. ... More
Each October, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month to proclaim the immeasurable value of every person from conception to natural death. Catholics in Arkansas take part in events throughout the month, including Life Chain and 40 Days for Life, to put their beliefs into prayer and action. This year, the 30th annual Life Chain Sunday will be held Oct. 1. It is always held on the first Sunday of October. Life Chain brings people together in a "peaceful and prayerful public witness" to form a line on sidewalks in cities across the United States and Canada. ... More
Catholic Charities of Arkansas raised nearly $40,000 to support its programs through the Bishop McDonald-Catholic Charities Golf Classic on Sept. 25. It was held at Maumelle Country Club with 30, four-person teams that included eight priests. Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Hot Springs Village entered six of the teams. The following won in these categories: Morning First Flight — First place: Father Bill Elser, Bob Baker, Rick Meyers and Dennis VanLeeuwen, of Hot Springs Village. Score: 54; Morning Second Flight — First place: Tom Donnelly, Murray Classen, ... More
An anonymous donor has made it possible for 50 parishes in the Diocese of Little Rock to subscribe to FORMED.org at half price for two years. This online, subscription-based platform allows parishioners to download trusted Catholic resources on catechesis and evangelization for individual or group use from anywhere with Internet access. Father Erik Pohlmeier, diocesan director of faith formation, said grants will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis to parishes that apply for a grant through the diocesan website. The deadline to apply is Nov. 1. FORMED was founded in 2015 to pool ... More
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor formally dedicated the new Catholic mission in Decatur (Benton County) Blessed Stanley Rother Catholic Church on Sept. 24, making it the first in the world to carry the patronage of the Oklahoma priest and martyr, who was beatified in Oklahoma City on Sept. 23. Fr. Salvador Márquez-Muñoz celebrated the first official Mass in Decatur in March 2014. Since that time the Catholic community has grown to about 80 parishioners who have a weekly Spanish Mass in a rented former Baptist church located at 758 Hill Avenue. ... More
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor made the following announcement Sept. 25, 2017. It is my sad duty to inform you that despite my efforts to convince him to reconsider, Father Michael Bass has announced his intention to leave the priesthood. He therefore no longer enjoys the faculties of the Diocese of Little Rock. Please keep him in your prayers. ... More