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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.
Seminarians take steps in discernment
For the first time, the installation of reader, acolyte and candidacy for Diocese of Little Rock seminarians was held in Arkansas, instead of at the men’s seminaries. The 2015 installation was held Saturday, Dec. 19 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Little Rock for 14 seminarians with a reception held in the gym following the 4:30 p.m. Mass. The admission to candidacy was celebrated for Martin Siebold, Stephen Hart, Michael Johns, Ramsés Mendieta, William Burmester and Luke Womack. Acolyte and candidacy was conferred on Daniel Ramos. ... 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
Extravaganza focuses on pro-life issues
The diocesan Catholic Youth Ministry Office will sponsor its annual Weekend Extravaganza, a "lock'in" for teens at the DoubleTree Hotel in Little Rock Jan. 16-17. This event, which is open to youth in grades 9-12, coincides with the diocese's Mass and March for Life to follow on Jan. 17. Led by the diocesan Youth Advisory Council (YAC), Weekend Extravaganza includes music, skits, prayer service and speakers that focus on right-to-life issues through a teen's perspective. This year's speaker is Monica Kelsey. She was adopted at birth and was 37 years old before she learned the news ... More
Joy to the world, our Lord has come
"The Lord has come; let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing!" Joining the angels, we proclaim "glad tidings of great joy" for our Savior has come. The Christmas season runs from Dec. 25, Christmas Day, to Jan. 10, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The word "Christmas" comes from the Middle English "Christemasse," which literally means Christ's Mass. This feast commemorates the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. In doing so, God became flesh, making the salvation of the world possible. To learn more, read the Christmas story. To learn more, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 524-528 or visit the Christmas resources of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. ... More
Come and see what priesthood is all about
The annual Come and See Retreat will be held Jan. 2-3 for men ages 16 and older at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. Rooted in prayer and to consist of talks, group discussion, vocational videos and personal testimonies by priests and seminarians, this retreat is designed to help participants explore more deeply a possible calling to the diocesan priesthood. The retreat will begin at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 2 and end at 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 3 and be held in Fletcher Hall. Register by completing the registration form and returning it by Dec. 26. The retreat will be provided in English and Spanish. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor addressed a letter to pastors asking them to give a special invitation to men in their parishes to this retreat. The Dec. 15 letter also invited women to attend a similar retreat to discern the religious life. It will be held Jan. 8-9. "As the Year of Consecrated Life draws to a close, I am writing to ask you to make a special effort to call young women and men in your parish to reflect ... More
Marian feasts to offer spiritual insight
The solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated Tuesday, Dec. 8. It is a holy day of obligation. This feast acknowledges that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without original sin. "The Father blessed Mary more than any other created person 'in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places' and chose her 'in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before him in love.'" To learn more, visit the Catechism of the Catholic Church (490-493). To find a Mass, go to a parish near you or see Mass times in Arkansas. The Holy Year of Mercy also kicks off on this feast day. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will open the jubilee year in the Diocese of Little Rock with a special Mass at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 8 at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock. To learn more, visit our Year of Mercy Resources. ... More
Give gifts that give twice at Fair trade sale
Catholic Charities of Arkansas is hosting a Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Fair Trade Sale Dec. 2-3 in Morris Hall on the campus of St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. The sale will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday. Sale items from 15 different countries allow you to purchase interesting Christmas gifts for friends and family including: coffee, scarves, jewelry, soap and Christmas ornaments. Quantities are limited. Only cash or check will be accepted. For more information, contact Rebecca Cargile, at Catholic Charities of Arkansas, or call her at (501) 664-0340. CRS is the official overseas relief and development agency of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Worldwide, CRS works in Asia, Africa ... More
Collection for retired religious Dec. 5-6
The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held Dec. 5-6 in the Diocese of Little Rock. Now in its 28th year, the appeal is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) and offers support for senior Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests whose communities lack sufficient retirement funding. Learn about the religious who are serving in Arkansas by reading about 12 sisters and two brothers who are celebrating 25 to 80 years of service to the Church this year in Dec. 5 issue of Arkansas Catholic. The Diocese of Little Rock contributed $163,960.05 to the 2014 collection, its highest total ever. In 2015, the Benedictines of Subiaco Abbey, Discalced Carmelite nuns in Little Rock and the Olivetan Benedictine sisters in Jonesboro received financial assistance from the Retirement Fund for Religious. Women and men religious ... More
