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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.
Youth invited to Texas regional conference
High schools students are invited to attend the 2016 Region 10 Youth Conference Nov. 17-20 in Beaumont, Texas. This year's theme is: "Take Courage!" It is based on Matthew 14:27: "But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.'" This three-day regional event is held every other even year and is composed of the Catholic dioceses in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Thousands of youth and adult chaperones gather to be part of the larger Church. The schedule includes featured speakers, music, Mass, general sessions and other activities. In Arkansas, participation is coordinated through the Diocese of Little Rock Catholic Youth Ministry Office. ... More
Answers far from simple for Catholic voters
How should a Catholic feel about this election season? It’s been a strange, dispiriting season in our country’s political life, with public discourse plunging to lows that most us have never witnessed. For Catholics, who hold a high view of public life, this election has been especially disappointing. Substance has nearly disappeared from the debates. The topics filling the void have become so cringe-worthy it would be embarrassing, or simply inappropriate, to mention them explicitly in a diocesan newspaper or website. But I am not saying anything others have not said already, to the point of exhaustion. ... More
Louisiana flood collection starts Aug. 27
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor is asking Arkansas parishes to join with those nationwide in taking up an emergency collection for Louisiana flood victims on Aug. 27-28 or Sept. 3-4. Repeated heavy rains in August have resulted in a 25-mile stretch of flooding in southern Louisiana making it the worst natural disaster in the United States since Superstorm Sandy in 2012. "From our own experience with natural disasters in Arkansas, we know the immediate and long-term recovery needs of the people in the flooded communities in Louisiana will be great and difficult to meet on their own," Bishop Taylor wrote in a letter to be read at all Masses. ... More
Joe Kleine to speak at 2016 Rosary Rally
The second annual Rosary Rally for student athletes will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. Youth in grades 5-12 from Catholic schools in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Benton and Hot Springs are invited to attend. Hot dogs will be served from 6 to 6:30 p.m. by area Knights of Columbus. The keynote speaker will be Joe Kleine, a former Razorback, member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic gold medal basketball team and member of the Chicago Bulls NBA Championship team in 1998. Deacon John Hall will then offer a spiritual reflection and lead the ... More
Novena, Mass to celebrate new St. Teresa
Blessed Teresa of Kolkata (formerly Mother Teresa of Calcutta) will be canonized a saint by Pope Francis on Sunday, Sept. 4. Known for serving "the poorest of the poor" she founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. The late Bishop Andrew J. McDonald hosted Mother Teresa in 1982 when she visited Little Rock to consider a request to run Abba House, a shelter for pregnant mothers, their children and homeless women, on south Oak Street. She agreed and sent four Missionaries of Charity sisters to begin running the shelter in 1983. The order continues to operate Abba House today. ... More
Marriage Encounter to be held Sept. 23-25
Married couples are invited to attend the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend Sept. 23-25 at Coury House Retreat Center on the grounds of Subiaco Abbey. Encuentro Matrimonial, the Spanish-language version of this program, will be held Nov. 11-13 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. Marriage Encounter allows married couples to spend time together, away from the distractions and tensions of everyday life, where they can focus on each other and their relationship. Couples learn a technique of loving communication that they can use for the rest of their lives. It's not a retreat, marriage clinic, group sensitivity or a substitute for counseling. It's a unique approach aimed at revitalizing marriage. ... More
Religious jubilarians to be honored Sept. 17
Sister Joan Pytlik, DC, diocesan minister for religious, along with the Diocesan Council of Religious will host the annual Religious Jubilarian Day Saturday, Sept. 17 at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock. During the daylong event, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will honor religious men and women who are celebrating special anniversaries in religious life at a noon Mass. All are invited to attend. In addition to the Mass, this event will include prayer, lunch, dialogue with Bishop Taylor and “Islam in the Year of Mercy," a program presented by Imam Mahmoud al-denawy of the Islamic Center of Little Rock, Alaa Eldamaty, vice president of Islamic Center of Little Rock, and Sophia Said, program director ... More
Pre-Cana Day held for engaged couples
Are you planning to get married in a Catholic church in Arkansas? If so, find out what you need to do by reading the Getting Married Guide. Because marriage is lifelong, the Church wants to help you build a strong, lasting marriage. For this reason, couples seeking marriage in the Catholic Church are asked to spend several months in marriage preparation. As part of that preparation, couples are asked to take part in a marriage education program. One of the educational options in the Diocese of Little Rock is Pre-Cana Day, a one-day retreat for engaged couples to spend time together reflecting on their relationship and future marriage. During this event, married couples present talks on the sacrament of marriage, ... More
