Understanding Our Church
A Treasury of Arkansas Writers Discussing the Catholic Faith
Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
Understanding Our Church
Explore this treasury of Arkansas writers discussing the Catholic faith on a wide variety of topics. Find what you're looking for by browsing the whole list or search by keyword or author. All articles have been reviewed for theological accuracy. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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Mass is ‘bridge’ that allows participants to enter God’s timelessness Father Erik Pohlmeier In preparation for the Eucharistic Congress last month a number of questions and answers about the Mass were printed in Arkansas Catholic. |
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All Saints Day is chance for Church to reflect on those already home Father Raphael Kitz, OCD In the Steven Spielberg movie, “E.T.,” there is a touching scene in which the extra terrestrial, with a sad face and a tear in the eye, points upward and murmurs home, home. His anxious longing was to return home with his loved ones to find rest and happiness. |
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Faith rituals not ‘mindless chores’ but means to encounter mystery Father Andrew Smith Catholics are a ritually oriented people. This may be seen as a mixed blessing, depending on how you understand repetition. For some people certain rituals — doing the same thing over and over again — may help to make our lives boring and uninteresting. |
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San Juan 6 muestra lo difícil de aceptar la enseñanza de la ‘Presencia Real’ El Padre Erik Pohlmeier Alos católicos a veces se les acusa de no basarse en la Biblia, o de inventar creencias opuestas a la Biblia. Ninguna de esas acusaciones es verdadera, por supuesto. |
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Jesus meant what he said about the Bread of Life Father Erik Pohlmeier Catholics are sometimes accused of not relying on the Bible, or of inventing beliefs contrary to the Bible. Of course, neither accusation is true. In this Year of the Eucharist the late Pope John Paul II encouraged all Catholics to become more familiar with the scriptural roots of the Eucharist. |
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Answers for Mass, Eucharist questions Father Erik Pohlmeier The following is a list of questions often asked about the Eucharist and Mass. Father Erik Pohlmeier, chairman of the Year of the Eucharist Committee and theological consultant for Arkansas Catholic, provided the answers. Q. What do Catholics mean by “real presence?” |
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Armed with education, it may be time to give laity a greater role Linda Webster As fall settles in each year, I feel an urge to pull out my introduction to theology text. Not necessarily to reread it, but as a reminder of the hopes and fears that each new group of students brings to St. John Center for that first weekend of theology instruction. |
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Saints are role models for what all people are called to by God Betsy Wiederkehr Huss The world heard “santo subito!” on April 8 at Pope John Paul II ’s funeral. The call for “sainthood immediately” reverberated for this dearly loved and greatly respected servant. |
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Daily prayer may be a struggle at times, but is worth the commitment Judy Hoelzeman My mother used to say to us, “How do you kids think you’re ever going to get to heaven if you don’t pray?” This rhetorical question came up when we complained about having to go to Wednesday night devotions. |
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Forming the faith a priority because it is meant to transform lives Sandy Compas The first communicants and their parents had made crosses, and the children were busy decorating them, while their parents, in an adjoining room, were asked, “When have you experienced the paschal mystery?” |
